Colombia's leader thanked Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for the capture of a suspected guerrilla commander wanted in Colombia, lauding the “growing collaboration” between the countries.

Since taking office in August, President Juan Manuel Santos has sought to ease a diplomatic stand-off with Venezuela that was fuelled by accusations by Mr Santos' predecessor that it harboured Colombian rebels.

Mr Santos said that Nilson Teran Ferreira, a suspected National Liberation Army commander, had been captured in Venezuela.

Teran was sentenced to 40 years in prison in Colombia for the kidnapping and killing of a rancher.

Belfast Telegraph