Venezuelan police captured a leader of a Colombia-linked paramilitary force

CARACAS (AFP) – Venezuelan police captured a leader of a Colombia-linked paramilitary force, the interior minister announced Saturday amid sky-high military tensions between the South American neighbors.

Magaly Janeth Moreno Vega was captured Thursday by Venezuelan police in Maracaibo near the countries' northern border, said Interior Minister Tareck El Aissami, describing the 39-year-old wanted by Interpol as the "paramilitary chief" of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).

"She is nicknamed... 'The Pearl' within the AUC" and "handles extremely important information," El Aissami said.

Bogota, however, promptly hailed her arrest, vowing to seek her extradition from Venezuela to be tried for various crimes in her native Colombia.

The AUC claims it took up arms to fight leftist rebels that have waged a decades-long insurgency in Colombia, but it also stands accused of having executed thousands of civilians.

El Aissami said Moreno Vega was, along with a colleague, in charge of "relations between the AUC and Colombian security forces, that is, the DAS (the Colombian intelligence agency), army and police."

The minister called Moreno Vega a "confidante" of former Colombian attorney general Luis Camilo Osorio Isaza, the current ambassador to Mexico, and said the arrest was evidence of "aggression" against Venezuela.

Speaking on state television VTV, El Aissami accused Colombian President Alvaro Uribe of "institutional and moral decay" for his government's ties to paramilitary groups that "attack our people, and threaten peace and order."

The arrest comes amid rising tensions in the region, which surged when Venezuela's leftist President Hugo Chavez suspended diplomatic relations with Colombia, a key US ally in South America, on July 28.

Earlier this month, Chavez warned his nation to "prepare for war," while Colombia ratcheted up the unease on Friday when it warned that its forces were on "maximum alert" and prepared to defend against any attack.

Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa, a Chavez ally, commented that the crisis stemmed less from Chavez's war warning than from a recent US-Colombia agreement granting the US military access to seven Colombian bases.

Tensions also spiked Thursday when Venezuelan troops blew up two footbridges across the Venezuela-Colombia border.

Caracas said the bridges were destroyed because they were being used by drug traffickers and smugglers.

By Juepaje on Nov 21, 2009, 14:13 in Friendly Talkzone.

Juepaje says on Nov 21, 2009, 14:14: So will Chavez extradite or keep him as a new friend? “If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can’t it get us out?”-Will Rogers 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Juepaje says on Nov 21, 2009, 14:59: Tasco66, I promised to be a good boy. I am only a cut and paster, most of the time. “If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can’t it get us out?”-Will Rogers 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Bill Turley (Moderator) says on Nov 21, 2009, 15:09: Tasco If you are looking for your comment be warned that attacking any mods in any way will not be acceptable to me Mr. Bill Somondoco 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Juepaje says on Nov 21, 2009, 15:11: “If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can’t it get us out?”-Will Rogers 0 funny, 0 helpful.

tasco66 says on Nov 21, 2009, 16:49: Desi said: "bla, bla, bla....is less worth than Uribe's paraco cronies" The Chavista El Aissami accused Colombian President Alvaro Uribe of "institutional and moral decay" for his government's ties to paramilitary groups What is the difference Bill? Newsweek on Uribe: "he's delivered the trifecta of peace, security, and prosperity" 0 funny, 0 helpful.

tasco66 says on Nov 21, 2009, 16:52: Funny they never seem to cath Farc leaders in Venezuela or Ecuador, despite the fact that they are all hiding there... Newsweek on Uribe: "he's delivered the trifecta of peace, security, and prosperity" 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on Nov 22, 2009, 05:09: Byron; then who populates Colombian prisons now? 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Sam Salmon says on Nov 22, 2009, 22:13: Good News but also puzzling-some strange games being played here. Obviously this crook moved about freely in Venezuela for years why was she arrested now? And don't tell me it was a blind hit I don't believe that for a minute. ' a la orden!' 0 funny, 0 helpful.

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