“Uribe is strengthened internationally,” while “Chavez has realized he was riding the losing horse” and expediently adjusted his stance, said, Colombian analyst and former deputy justice minister Rafael Nieto said.
Adolfo Tayhardat, a Venezuelan analyst, said Uribe is looking to defend Colombian trade while Chavez is aiming to ease conflict and shore up support ahead of state and local elections in November.
The FARC issued a statement on Friday condemning what it called the “betrayal” of two guerrillas responsible for holding the 15 hostages freed by Colombian troops, and said it remains open to trading other hostages for imprisoned guerrillas.
Neither leader referred to that statement, and Uribe did not publicly mention any invitation for Chavez to participate in new negotiations.
“What we want now is to be able to have the rest of the 27 hostages who the FARC call ‘exchangeables’ freed quickly,” Uribe said.
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