Venezuela Deports Colombian Drug Suspect Sought by US

March 21, 2011•1 Minute
RTC Director RTC Director

Venezuela has deported a Colombian wanted by the United States for drug trafficking.

Officials say 53-year-old Gloria Rojas Valencia was handed over Monday to U.S. authorities. She is accused of being a member of Mexico’s violent Zetas drug cartel.

More than 34,000 people have been killed in Mexico’s drug war since President Felipe Calderon took office in late 2006 and began cracking down on the cartels. The cartels are locked in a violent battle for control of trafficking routes into the United States.

Separately, Venezuelan authorities say four other Colombians were deported to their home country on drug trafficking charges.