Colombia Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera congratulated the Venezuelan government for the arrest of Jaime Alberto “Beto” Marin, a reputed Colombian drug lord, Venezuela’s Interior Minister announced.
Venezuela announced the arrest of Marin, one of the remaining leaders of the virtually defunct Norte del Valle cartel, on Friday.
Venezuela’s Interior Minister Tarek El Aissami thanked Colombia for its regards.
“We appreciate this call by the Colombian Defense Minister,” Al Aissami was quoted by Colombian media. “I personally attended the call. We ratified the unwavering comitment of our government, its institutions and its authorities in this fight” against drug trafficking.
Venezuela arrested 16 alleged drug lords so far this year.