Colombia's president says a top commander for the FARC leftist rebel group has been captured across the border in Venezuela, a sign relations between the two countries may be improving.

President Juan Manuel Santos announced Wednesday that Guillermo Torres, also known as “Julian Conrado,” was captured in a joint effort by the two countries. Santos said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had told him he planned to extradite the FARC leader back to Colombia.

Colombia had asked Interpol in 2002 to issue a “red notice,” an international alert there was an outstanding warrant for Torres' arrest.

Ties between Colombia and Venezuela have been strained over Colombia's accusations that Venezuela harbors top FARC officials.

FARC is the short name for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.