Colombian Minister of Defense Rodrigo Rivera said the country not respond to recent accusations from Nicaragua that Colombia is conspiringwith other nations to “seize” the Caribbean, reports La F.m.
Rodrigo said Colombia would proceed with “caution” in regards to the issue. He emphasized that “the presence of the public force in all of our national territory is limited exclusively to areas of Colombian sovereignty.”
On Friday the Organization of American States (OAS) ruled that both Nicaragua and Costa Rica should withdraw all armed forces from a disputed border area. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega accused Colombia of leading a campaign within the international body along with Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Guatemala, countries which he said “have an interest in drug trafficking.”
“Who were the beneficiaries of this requirement made by Costa Rica that we withdraw the army from the area, that is not in a confrontation?” Orgeta said. “It is the drug traffickers.”
The Nicaraguan president also said his country would consider withdrawing from the OAS after the body asked Nicaragua to withdraw troops from the disputed border area with Costa Rica. Costa Rica does not have an army, but had reportedly stationed police in the area.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos made a brief reference to the issue stating, “what Nicaragua is saying is so far from the truth that it deserves no comment from us.”
The president of the OAS’ Security Council said the accusations made by Nicaragua could be brought to the body, requiring the foreign ministers of Colombia and Nicaragua to appear before the council.