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LATIN AMERICA |
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Colombia Raps Venezuela Over FARC Rebel
"Insult"
BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia on Wednesday
demanded Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's
government clarify whether it tolerated
support for terrorist organizations after
Colombia's leftist rebels were lauded at a
forum in Caracas.
The diplomatic complaint came as the Andean
neighbors tussle in a growing dispute that
has battered their $7 billion in annual
bilateral trade and fueled concerns about
the feud spilling over into a violent border
incident.
At a meeting of left-wing groups called the
Continental Bolivarian Coordinator, a video
message was broadcast from FARC commander
Alfonso Cano, leader of Colombia's largest
Marxist guerrilla movement. It was not clear
whether Chavez officials attended or
supported the event.
Colombia has in the past complained Chavez
is politically tolerant of the FARC, which
is labeled a terrorist organization by the
United States and Europe. Bogota says two
top FARC commanders have taken refuge in
Venezuela.
"Colombia's government and people consider
it an insult to democracy and human rights
that the Continental Bolivarian Coordinator
recognized the FARC," the foreign ministry
said.
"Venezuela should clarify for the
international community whether it
recognizes, approves or tolerates movements
or parties who support terrorism," its
statement said.
Chavez, a fierce U.S. foe, last year
welcomed a FARC commander at his
presidential palace as part of his
involvement in efforts to free rebel
hostages. But he rejects U.S. and Colombia
claims he provides shelter or support to the
FARC.
The socialist leader recently has ramped up
his rhetoric against Bogota with talk of war
and ordered Colombian imports cut to protest
Colombia's plan to allow U.S. troops more
access to its bases to fight druglords and
guerrillas.
In the latest incidents, Venezuelan troops
have dynamited makeshift bridges across the
border because they said the structures were
used by smugglers. But Colombia denounced
the destruction before the United Nations.
Chavez says the base plan is a pretext for
an aggression against his oil-exporting
nation. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe
counters it is an extension of existing U.S.
cooperation to end Colombia's long war
fueled by the drug trade. |
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