Colombian Foreign Minister Gabriel Silva traveled to Panama today to meet Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli to discuss greater cooperation between the two nations in fighting the FARC on their common border.
“We have a closeness and a brotherhood and we have common problems, which has become clear recently,” Silva said, referring to the killing of three FARC guerrillas by the Panamanian army in a jungle region of the border at the end of January.
The army’s actions were applauded by the Colombian government and denounced by the FARC.
“All narco-terrorism seeks to cross borders and that is why cooperation is crucial,” Silva added.
Panama-Colombia diplomatic relations have historically been friendly, and the two nations began talks on a free trade agreement on Wednesday.