The Colombian government rejected a recent homage conducted in Caracas Venezuela to a deceased FARC co-founder, in a government press release Sunday.
The press release said, “The Colombian Government rejects the tribute expressed by certain parts of Venezuelan society to military leaders who are internationally recognized as terrorists. Military leaders who have committed multiple crimed against humanity, the Colombian people, and the democratic institution.”
The recent homage was to Manuel Marulanda Velez alias, “Tirofijo.” Velez was co-founder of Colombia’s largest guerrilla group the FARC.
Upon his death Velez was buried in Venezuela in 2008. That same year Venezuela built a statue in honor of Velez.
Former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe often accused Venezuela of harboring and even funding the FARC, Colombia’s largest rebel group. The two countries cut diplomatic ties several times and periods of extreme tension prompted international intervention. Relations seem to have normalized under current Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.