Chavez closes Venezuelan Embassy in Colombia (Updated I) (telesurguerrilerasheridas020308.wmv)

Caracas, 2 March 2008. During televised show Aló Presidente, Venezuelan Head of State, Hugo Chávez Frías, ordered the immediate closure of the Embassy in Colombia. After informing on the incursion of the Colombian army forces into Ecuadorian territory to kill FARC leader Raul Reyes and the misinformation given by President Uribe, Chavez ordered the deployment of troops in the border with Colombia; Ecuador had today ordered the same at the Putumayo.  Chavez also expressed unrestricted support to President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, in his dealing with the Colombian violation of its territory.

During his weekly appearance in Aló Presidente, Chavez explained FARC leader Raul Reyes had been killed by a missile attack, while sleeping, in a camp at Ecuadorian territory: a coward murder. The Colombian missile attack was launched from different location within Ecuadorian territory, Chavez said. He then compared such violations of International Law as the ones fashioned by Israel in Lebanon and Palestine. He also said that Israeli and American mercenaries have been training Colombians for war. President Chavez then added that a Latin American Israel would not be allowed in the region. President Chavez recalled how President Uribe tried to overshadow various illegal incursion of its security agents in Venezuela and the kidnapping of the FARC Chancellor Rodrigo Granda in 2004.

Finally, Chavez cancelled any future participation of Venezuela in summits to be held in Colombia. UNASUR and OAS meetings had been schedule this year in Colombia.  H also criicized the position expressed by UN Secretary General on recent Israeli bombing of Palestine.

Updates: After arriving at the site where FARC leader Raul Reyes was killed, Ecuadorian army confirmed Colombian forces entered into its territory; they killed 17 FARC members in a missile attack against a FARC provisional camp located 2 kms within Ecuadorian territory. Two surviving female FARC members were taken to hospital by the Ecuadorian army. The body of Raul Reyes was removed from Ecuadorian territory and taken to Bogota. His picture appeared today in the front page of major Colombian Newspapers. The dead bodies of FARC members were found wearing pyjamas and sleeping garments. Such information contradicts the Colombian allegation they were confronted by the guerrilla and acted in self defence.  As a response to this escalating diplomatic crisis, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa decided to withdraw his Ambassador to Bogota Francisco Seuscum. This diplomatic action was justified as a response to the violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ecuador. Earlier today, Quito had sent a diplomatic protest note and called the incident as scandalous.  Colombia continues to reject it violated Ecuadorian territory.

Sources: Aló Presidente, Globovision, Unionradio, BBC, CSM, El Pais.es, El Mundo.es, PrInside, Telesur, VTV, Caracol, RCN, El Comercio, Hoy, El Universo,   

Related stories: Number 2 FARC guerrilla leader Raul Reyes killed (updated III), Chavez freezes relations with Colombia and Spain (updated), Venezuela and Colombia drift apart (updated III)