CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan authorities say they have captured a former Colombian senator wanted on charges of conspiring with paramilitaries to kidnap a reputed political rival.

State television reported Friday that Alvaro Araujo Noguera was detained by Venezuela's National Guard in the western city of Maracaibo.

The 75-year-old former political boss faces charges stemming from a 2002 kidnapping involving outlawed right-wing paramilitary fighters.

The accusations have embroiled Araujo Noguera's family in a major political scandal and prompted his daughter to step down as foreign minister. His son also was jailed last year on charges related to the same case.

A Venezuelan National Guard official declined comment on Araujo Noguera's detention.

State television said the politician, also a former agriculture minister and state governor, was brought to Caracas after his capture on Thursday. It said he would soon be turned over to Colombian authorities at the countries' shared border.