Venezuela's ex-spy chief pleads guilty to narco-terrorism charges

Spy chief charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine analogues resulting in serious bodily injury or death.

The ex-intelligence chief of Venezuela has pleaded guilty to charges relating to narco-terrorism in a US court.

General Carlos Garate Rondon surrendered to US officials in Colombia last year.

The 61-year-old admitted to conspiring to import cocaine into the US and providing weapons to FARC guerrillas.

He also admitted to offering bonuses to Venezuelan soldiers for successful drug shipments and using violence against anyone who got in his way.

The maximum sentence for the charges is life in prison, although it will be at least 27 years when the defendant is sentenced in May.