Caracas, November 10 (RHC) -– The Venezuelan government has begun extradition procedures for Colombian Leiva Padilla Mendoza –- also known as 'El Colombia' -- who is considered one the masterminds behind the murder of Venezuelan deputy Robert Serra and his partner Maria Herrera last October 1st.

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry and other government agencies are already working with their Colombian counterparts to secure the criminal's extradition to Venezuela within the shortest possible time, according to Venezuelan Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace Carmen Meléndez.

Padilla Mendoza was arrested in Colombia last Thursday, said Minister Meléndez, who added: “There will be no impunity. We are acting in accordance with the law and we will bring Padilla Mendoza and all other criminals to justice.”

The Venezuelan Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 10 other individuals, also presumably linked with this crime, and also requested arrest warrants against another four. INTERPOL has already issued red alerts against three of them.

One of those already in police custody include the former head of Serra's security team, Edwin Torres, who confessed details of the murder plot and the names of his accomplices. According to Torres' statement, a Colombian paramilitary gang headed by Padilla Leiva had been planning the murder of the youngest Venezuelan deputy for three months from Colombian soil.