Colombia denies any Chávez ' meddling

28.12.06

www.eluniversal.com

Venezuela voiced “absolute refusal” to the remarks made by a Colombian minister, who hinted that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez recommended Ecuadorian president-elect Rafael Correa to suspend a scheduled visit to Colombia.

Caracas is waiting for prompt clarification, to find if the comments of Minister of the Interior Carlos Holguín are consistent with the official stance of the Government of President Álvaro Uribe, said Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolás Maduro, as quoted by Efe.

Minister Holguín hinted last Friday that the Venezuelan ruler influenced on Correa’s decision to cancel his visit to Bogotá because an Ecuadorian request was not accepted.

According to Maduro, Holguín’s statements unleashed a media campaign in Colombia against President Chávez. “This official slid, pretending not to do it, not even face to face, such opinion. Therefore, we expect an answer from the Colombian Foreign Ministry and would like such things not to happen again,” he stressed.

The official does not think that Chávez influenced on Correa’s decision to suspend his visit to Colombia due to anti-drug fumigation on the Colombian-Ecuadorian border.

In Maduro’s view, the issue of the fumigation, countered by Quito, has sparked “a very delicate, sensitive conflict, where the interest and lives of hundred men and women on the Ecuadorian-Colombian border are at stake.”

“Colombia has in no event intended to ascribe any responsibility whatsoever to the Government of Venezuela for the current relation between Colombia and Ecuador,” stated a succinct communiqué from the Colombian Foreign Ministry.

“Colombia and Venezuela have joined efforts against the global issue of drugs and terrorism, as well as regional security.”

The notice did not make reference to Correa.

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