Colombia denies violation of Ecuador's airspace
Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Carolina Barco Isackson on Thursday denied a violation of Ecuador's airspace by Colombian military planes, and refused to apologize for what she called a possible misreading of radar recordings.

The minister made the remarks following Ecuador's claims that two days ago Colombia had violated its airspace again. Ecuador demanded an explanation within 72 hours.

Before complaining, Barco said Ecuador should take into consideration her country's conflict with the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. She added that rebel attacks were rampant near the 580-km Colombia-Ecuador border and that it was the Colombian government's policy to crack down on the guerillas.

Reports from Ecuador said that Colombian warplanes intruded into Ecuador's airspace early on Sunday morning. The two sides held a meeting later to analyze Ecuador's radar recordings but failed to reach a consensus.

The Colombian air force said the warplanes had been attacking guerrillas who were fleeing toward the border with Ecuador, but the planes remained above the Colombian territory.

On Jan. 28, two Colombian fighter jets and three helicopters entered Ecuador's airspace in pursuit of guerrilla fighters, triggering tensions between the two countries before Colombia admitted the violation and made an apology.