Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Monday vowed to defend predecessor Alvaro Uribe after Venezuela’s head of state, Nicolas Maduro, accused the former Colombian leader of plotting to kill him.
According to Maduro, Uribe along with members of the Venezuelan right, are involved in a plot to kill the newly elected president. On Sunday, Maduro also claimed that Uribe was involved in the killing of a Venezuelan sports journalist.
MORE: Venezuela blames Uribe for journalist killing
Santos tweeted on Monday, “The dignity of the ex-presidents is better protected, not with shouts or insults, but with the proper diplomatic channels.”
La dignidad de los expresidentes se defiende mejor, no a gritos ni con insultos públicos, sino por los canales diplomáticos correspondientes
— Juan Manuel Santos (@JuanManSantos) May 6, 2013
Alvaro Uribe’s predecessor, former President Andres Pastrana, on Sunday called on Santos to publicly defend Uribe against the claims made by Maduro.
MORE: Pastrana tells Santos to defend Uribe in row with Venezuela
In addition to Santos’ comments, El Tiempo reported that Colombia’s Foreign Ministry is seeking a meeting with the Venezuelan Ambassador to Colombia, Ivan Guillermo Rincon.
“President Juan Manuel Santos has said he has the intention to reach and agreement with ex-president[s] Pastrana and Uribe. From this display, the dialogue with the ex-presidents is urgent because this would really help the country,” said Colombia’s Vice President Angelino Garzon on Monday.
Uribe has been one of the most vociferous critics of the Venezuelan administrations of respectively Hugo Chavez and Maduro, who he accuses of having ties to Colombian rebel groups.
Sources
- Dignidad de expresidentes no se defiende con gritos: Santos (El Tiempo)
- Juan Manuel Santos (Twitter)