The Colombian government decided not to send its Foreign and Defense Ministers to Friday’s UNASUR meeting in Ecuador, due to a lack of “respect, objectivity and overall balance,” the Foreign Ministry announced.
Instead of Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez and Defense Minister Gabriel Silva, Colombia is sending a team of lower-ranking diplomats.
The twelve members of UNASUR plan to discuss the military pact Colombia signed with the U.S. which has caused unrest on the continent. Most member states have expressed concern over the pact and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez even said that it could lead to war.
“The attitude and recent escalation of grievances the Colombian government and people have received make us foresee that the discussions taking place at the Friday meeting will not be done in a tone of respect, objectivity and overall balance,” explained a statement on the Foreign Ministry’s website.