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 US$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 by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (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 that Chavez is politically tolerant of the FARC, which is labeled a terrorist organization by the US and the EU. 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.”
Chavez, a fierce US 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 US 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 US troops more access to its bases to fight drug lords and guerrillas.
Venezuelan troops have dynamited bridges across the border, saying they were used by smugglers, but Colombia denounced the destruction at the UN.
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