The European Union (E.U.) asked Colombia and Venezuela Thursday to avoid actions that would aggravate the already strained relationship between the two nations and instead begin a dialogue.
In a press release the E.U. expressed its “concern over the tense situation” at the Venezuela-Colombia border and asked the two countries to “abide by international law and existing mutual agreements”.
The E.U. asked the feuding countries to “seek solutions by dialogue and possible confidence building measures, including through the support of regional bodies.”
Relations between the two nations have been tense since Colombia signed a military agreement with the U.S., which gives the North American nation access to seven Colombian military bases.
Venezuela views the military pact as a threat to its sovereignty.
Tensions heightened ten days ago when Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called upon his military forces and the Venezuelan public to prepare for war with Colombia. He retracted this statement several days later denying that he was promoting armed conflict.
Chavez relaunched his verbal offensive against Colombia on Wednesday, denouncing its Foreign Minister as “disgraceful”.
One former Colombian soldier and two unknown women died in yet another gruesome incident on the Venezuela-Colombia border Thursday. The incident follows a number of previous bloody incidents in the border area which further escalated tensions.