Petro orders Colombia’s security forces to end ceasefire...
Central Colombia mining disaster kills 21, rescue attempts...
At least 11 dead, 10 missing after central...
Can Colombia afford excluding paramilitaries from peace process?
‘Ivan Mordisco’
Colombia’s ‘total war’ on illegal mining shuts down...
Petro announces peace process with Colombia’s dissident FARC...
Colombia’s government and ELN rebels revise peace talks...
Venezuela extradites convicted former lawmaker to Colombia
Colombia’s war crimes tribunal accuses former chief prosecutor...
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
News

Chavez reiterates: FARC allegations due to Uribe-Santos ‘rift’

by Leo Palmer July 21, 2010
1.2k

colombia reports hugo chavez

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reiterated on Sunday that Colombia’s recent claims that leftist guerrillas are hiding out in Venezuela are part of a “struggle for power” between outgoing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and incoming President Juan Manuel Santos, Caracol Radio reports.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for officers of the National Bolivarian Police, Chavez claimed that Uribe is trying to retain the power he has accumulated, causing a conflict with the incoming government.

Although Chavez recognized that both Colombian presidents are affiliated with the same political party, he insisted that they have “conflicts for power” because “they represent different groups.”

Chavez also accused the Uribe government of “exporting violence” to Venezuela and described the Colombian president as “defeated.”

The socialist leader added that Uribe had “gambled with aggressive, war-mongering politics” and now wanted to present himself as the “victim.”

According to Chavez “Colombia is more violent today, there is more drug trafficking and [Uribe] tries to shoot over here [saying] Chavez is to blame.”

The Venezuelan president said, “It is a lie that we are exporting the Bolivarian revolution over there.”

Chavez also reiterated his government’s commitment to fighting the drug’s trade, noting that Venezuela had deported twelve drug bosses so far this year, including the leader of the Colombian Norte de Valle cartel Carlos “Beto” Renteria, and had seized 910 kilos of marijuana on Sunday in Barinas, in south-west Venezuela.

Chavez’s comments come despite Santos’ denial Monday that a rift was developing between him and his mentor Uribe.

Colombia’s recent claim that Venezuela is harboring guerrillas sparked speculation in both Colombian and international media about tensions between Santos and Uribe over relations with Caracas.

Following the revelation of the allegations, Chavez called the Venezuelan ambassador to Bogota back to Caracas for a meeting and threatened to “cut ties” with the neighboring country.

Caracas labelled the evidence “a pathetic media show.” Colombia’s neighbor to the east has always vehemently denied allegations that guerrillas are hiding in its territory, and maintains that Venezuela is not a guerrilla safe haven.

Venezuela broke diplomatic relations in 2009, after Colombia signed a pact that grants the U.S. military access to seven Colombian army bases. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez views the pact as an attempt to undermine regional sovereignty.

Chavez’s government has stated that it would not consider restoring relations while Uribe remained in office.

Colombian President-elect Santos professed himself to be “very pleased” after Chavez expressed willingness to reopen a dialogue with Colombia and attempt to re-establish severed ties.

Prior to Santos’ election on June 20, Chavez was vocal in his contempt for the former defense minister, whom he called “the number one Yankee lapdog of Colombia” and “a real mafioso.”

Before Colombia announced it had proof of guerrilla presence in Venezuela, Chavez had authorized a meeting between his Foreign Minister Maduro and the incoming Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin, as a step towards repairing diplomatic ties.

Alvaro UribechavezdiplomacyELNfacrJuan Manuel SantosVenezuela

Contribute

Trending

  • Venezuela extradites convicted former lawmaker to Colombia

  • Colombia’s ‘total war’ on illegal mining shuts down gold mining region

  • Colombia’s government and ELN rebels revise peace talks agenda

For patrons

Downloads for patrons

Related articles

  • Colombia’s government and ELN rebels revise peace talks agenda

  • Venezuela extradites convicted former lawmaker to Colombia

  • Colombia’s government and ELN rebels resume peace talks in Cuba

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Rss

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion