Hunger striking ex-rebel leader hospitalized in Colombia

BOGOTA – Colombian authorities say a former guerrilla leader arrested this month on U.S. drug trafficking charges has been hospitalized for ill health caused by a prolonged hunger strike.

The former FARC leader better known by his alias Jesus Santrich has reportedly been on a hunger strike since he was arrested April 10 on a U.S. warrant charging him with conspiring to export 10 tons of cocaine to the United States.

Prison officials say Santrich was taken from his cell Thursday afternoon and moved to a hospital as a preventive measure to stop his health from getting worse.

The arrest has undermined relations between Colombia’s government and the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebel group, which has disarmed under a peace accord meant to end a half century of conflict.