Venezuelan authorities Tuesday deported Álvaro Araújo Noguera, a former
Colombian minister wanted on charges of conspiring with paramilitaries
to kidnap a reputed political rival.
Venezuela is returning Araújo Noguera to Colombia following his
arrest earlier this week. The 75-year-old political boss is facing
charges stemming from a 2002 kidnapping involving outlawed right-wing
militias.
Araujo Noguera was extradited two days after his arrest in the western city of Maracaibo. He was on the run for 1½ years.
His son was jailed last year on related charges. The accusations
have embroiled Araújo Noguera’s family in a major scandal involving
dozens of politicians and prompted his daughter to step down as foreign
minister.
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