Chávez threatens to cut ties with Colombia

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e9753240-6e76-11d9-a60a-00000e2511c8.html

"By Andy Webb-Vidal in Caracas
Published: January 25 2005 02:00 | Last updated: January 25 2005 02:00

Venezuela has raised the stakes in its diplomatic dispute with Colombia after Hugo Chávez, Venezuela's president, threatened to sever ties completely with Bogotá and accused the US of engaging in an "imperialist" plot.

Mr Chávez warned that he would cut relations with its US-backed neighbour and stop all bilateral trade if the government of Alvaro Uribe failed to "apologise" for the capture in December of a Colombian insurgent in Caracas.

During the past week relations between the two countries have soured badly, following the arrest of Rodrigo Granda, a member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a group considered a terrorist organisation by the US and Europe.

Mr Chávez claims that the incident was a violation of national sovereignty, but Colombia maintains that the Farc rebel's capture, in December, was the result of the offer of a reward, and has refused to apologise."

[alexisfree]

1. good!

. now Colombia is going to cry to papa bush!

[bin.dare]

2. here is a great piece by James Petras ...

The US / Colombia Plot Against Venezuela
By JAMES PETRAS

A major diplomatic and political conflict has exploded between Colombia and Venezuela after the revelation of a Colombian government covert operation in Venezuela, involving the recruitment of Venezuelan military and security officers in the kidnapping of a Colombian leftist leader. Following an investigation by the Venezuelan Ministry of Interior and reports and testimony from journalists and other knowledgeable political observers it was determined that the highest echelons of the Colombian government, including President Uribe, planned and executed this onslaught on Venezuelan sovereignty.

(more)
http://www.counterpunch.org/petras01252005.html

[bobthedrummer]

3. Chavez has a lot of world support.

You can take that to the bank.

[amandabeech]

4. So much for that oil pipeline from Venezuela through Columbia

to the Pacific in order to service the China market. Coincidental?

[HuckleB]

5. Perhaps.

Though Venezuela has already worked on a deal to use a pipeline through Panama. With the continued unrest in Columbia, it would be difficult to count on a pipeline there for at least the forseeable future, anyway.