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Former Colombian Paramilitary Chief Extradited From US


FILE - A Colombian flag is displayed in Cali in March 2016.
FILE - A Colombian flag is displayed in Cali in March 2016.

A former Colombian paramilitary chief who is wanted for thousands of crimes was extradited Tuesday to Colombia from the United States.

Hebert Veloza Garcia faces numerous charges in Colombia, including murder and recruitment of child soldiers.

He was arrested in 2007 and later sent to the United States and jailed on charges of drug trafficking — a move that angered Colombian human rights activists who feared Veloza Garcia would never face justice back home.

Colombia is emerging from more than 50 years of guerrilla war after the government signed a peace treaty last year with FARC, the main rebel group. FARC has disarmed and is transforming itself into a political party.

Negotiations are under way with the country's second main opposition force, ELN.

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