Maduro announces arrest of Colombian paramilitary leader

CARACAS - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced Saturday the arrest of a "powerful Colombian paramilitary leader" in the Venezuelan state of Carabobo.

Maduro did not reveal the name of the person arrested, simply referring to him as the "head of the Rastrojos," a criminal group in neighboring Colombia.

However, he did say the Colombian was "providing testimony and proof of who hired him and who brought him to Venezuela."

Maduro and Minister of Communication and Information Jorge Rodriguez also denounced Saturday a plan to generate violence in Venezuela through the infiltration of paramilitaries and hitmen.

Maduro said the arrested aide of the opposition leader Juan Guaido, Roberto Marrero, provided "the proof that led us to capturing" the paramilitary leader in Carabobo.

Political conflict between Maduro and Guaido erupted as the latter declared himself "interim president" during an anti-government rally on Jan 23 and was immediately recognized by the United States and some of its allies.