Rodrigo Tovar Pupo: Colombia arrests deported AUC ex-leader 'Jorge 40'

Rodrigo Tovar Pupo was arrested after arriving in Colombia from the US

A former leader of one of Colombia's most notorious paramilitary groups has been arrested in Bogotá after being deported from the US.

Rodrigo Tovar Pupo had served 12 years of a 16-year prison sentence in the US for drug trafficking.

Using the alias Jorge 40 he commanded the right-wing United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC).

The AUC is said to have used battles with left-wing rebels to hide crimes such as drug trafficking and extortion.

On arrival in the capital, Pupo was immediately taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in crimes including mass killings, kidnappings and torture.

• The lessons of Colombia's extraordinary peace process

• Colombia general sentenced for paramilitary links

• Uribe's detention splits generations

• Colombia country profile

In a statement, Colombian justice ministry official Javier Sarmiento Olarte said Pupo would be "placed before the criminal justice system" and there would be "guarantees" for the right to the truth, justice and reparation.

Pupo faces almost 1,500 active investigations and 35 arrest warrants, officials said.

The AUC demobilised 14 years ago in a deal with the Colombian government, but Jorge 40 was excluded from a wider deal that limited punishments for its former fighters and commanders.

Pupo was extradited to the US in 2008 along with other leaders of far-right paramilitary groups by the government of then-President Alvaro Uribe.