Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he is complying with his resposibility by handing over guerrilla fighters wanted by Colombia, Colombian newspaper El Espectador reported Friday
President Chavez said he is fulfilling his promise to Colombia and is certain that the neighboring country doing the same by not allowing conspiracies against his administration.
“We are complying with our obligation and will continue doing so and I am sure of this there [in Colombia] as well,” said Chavez while welcoming former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to Caracas.
“I am certain that conspiracies against Venezuela will not be permitted in Colombian territory,” said the head of state.
The process to begin the extradition of former FARC leader Guillermo Enrique Torres, began Thursday after he was captured in Venezuela as a result of cooperation between Venezuelan and Colombian authorities.
Chavez said “We cannot not allow the presence in Venezuela of any group … armed or not, which is outside the law.”
Referring to two recently arrested alleged collaborators of Venezuelan drug trafficker Walid Makled – who was extradited from Colombia to Venezuela – Chavez said “I am sure that President Santos will fulfil his promise,” as they have been claimed by Venezuela.
President Chavez added he was confident that the promise would be fulfilled based on international accords and the “new climate that exists between the governments of Colombia and Venezuela.”