Chavez closes Venezuelan Embassy in Colombia (Updated VII)

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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.

At night, Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded the diplomatic note of protest Ecuador sent this morning. In a diplomatic note, Colombia apologised for the intrussion in Ecuadorian territory and promise to pay compensation for Ecuadorina citizens only. In the very worded response, Colombia never mentioned Venezuela.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa delivered a televised message this afternoon. Correa confirmed his country sovereignty had been violated in a planned manner. He also rejected any possible argument on the grounds of terrorism to justify the Colombian incursion.  International Law demanded that in such circumstances, Colombia should have asked Ecuador to intervene in its own territory and not trespass the boundary. Evidence collected today, show Colombian forces launched two attacks from Ecuadorian territory and killed FARC members with shots in their backs. President Correa decided today the immediate expulsion of Colombian Ambassador to Quito. During this diplomatic crisis, Ecuador has received regional support and intends to take the case to OAS and Mercosur.

At the end of the day, Colombia ended up with severed diplomatic relations with two neighbouring countries.

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  On Monday 3 March 2008, Colombian Minister of Defence, Juan Manuel Santos, said his country would not be sending troops to borders with Ecuador and Venezuela. However, Colombia has already sent troops to the frontier with Venezuela in the last weeks. The presence and possible participation of Americans bases in the bombing of Ecuadorian territory is now being questioned.  Last night, Colombian police Chief, General Oscar Naranjo, showed documents found in "undamaged" computer found in the FARC camp which was air raid on Saturday. According to Naranjo, such documents prove close contacts between an Ecuadorian Security chief and FARC members. Such "finding" has been used by Colombia to suggest a link between President Correa and FARC. However, such allegation cannot legally justify the violation of Ecuadorian sovereignty. It is now evident the Colombian forces entered 10 Km into Ecuadorian territory to launch the air raid. Moreover, Ecuador rejected such allegation of a FARC link while France expressed concern over the death of Reyes; he was their negotiation partner in talks to liberate Ingrid Betancourt.


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  Various regional countries have rejected the Colombian intervention.  Chile condemned the violation of Ecuadorian territory. Argentina and Nicaragua also expressed their concern over the violation of Ecuadorian territory.  From Cuba, Fidel Castro said US government was responsible for a possible war among Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Peru called for an urgent OAS meeting on this regional crisis. It will hold an urgent meeting on Tuesday. UN has asked the three countries involved in the crisis for moderation. US has backed its regional partner, Colombia, in its fight against terrorism. Brazil rejected Colombian violation of Ecuador sovereignty and called for OAS intervention. Bolivia condemned the Colombian intervention in the Ecuadorian territory as it was groundless.


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  Two of the four MP unilaterally liberated last week by FARC - Luis Eladio Perea and Gloria Polanco - left Venezuela for Colombia; the remaining two ex hostages - Orlando Beltran and Jorge Gechem- might be travelling to Cuba for further medical checks.


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  Colombian Ambassador in Caracas was recalled by Bogotá for consultations. Ecuador formally broke diplomatic relations with Colombia but will keep comercial ones. Presidents of Ecuador and Venezuela will meet on Wednesday in Caracas to jointly analyse the current diplomatic crisis with Colombia. Correa will initiate later today a 5-leg-tour. He will be visiting Peru, Brazil, Panamá, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.


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  During a speech at the National Assembly, Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs announced the expulsion of the Colombian Ambassador, Fernando Marín, and all the Embassy staff. Maduro also rejected all recent media manipulations submitted by Colombian General Oscar Naranjo. Colombia has suggested that Venezuela received 50 tons of Uranium and given FARC US$300 millions. Maduro concluded that by presenting such fabrications Colombia attempted to avoid recognizing its violation of International Law.


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   On the other hand, Ecuadorian Minister of Internal and External Security, Gustvo Larrea, admitted having encounters with FARC leaders but for the humanitarian negotiations only.  


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  During a night press conference, Venezuelan Home Minister and negotiator, Ramón Rodriguez Chacin, commented on the accusations made by Colombian Police Chief, Oscar Naranjo. Minister Rodirguez Chacin remarked as unethical the public display of cinic happiness showed by Naranjo on Saturday when the news of the death of Raul Reyes was announced. Narajo was seen smiling and happy as the news was unveiled by Colombian Defence Minister. Then, Rodriguez Chacin rejected allegations made by Naranjo on his contacts with FARC contained in a computer. He stated it was more than obvious he had contacts to liberate six Colombian hostages. Such true has been linked to lies, he added. He also rejected allegations made by General Naranjo that Pesident Chavez had given FARC US$300 millions. Then, Minister Rodriguez Chacín unveiled he had a computer confiscated at the murder site of notorious Colombian drug trafficker Wilmer Varela nicknamed Jabon. He explained that this computer has information on the links of General Oscar Narajo with drug trafficking. His brother - now detained in Germany for drug trafficking-  was a Jabon ally. It is the belief of Venezuelan authorities that Jabon and his body guard were killed - in Merida, Venezuela, early this year - by Colombians in power positions and involved in the drug business.


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  In a Press Conference tonight, Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correa, rejected allegations made by Colombia to link his government to FARC. For Correa, Colombian government made such fabrication in order to avoid its reponsability in the violation of his country sovereignty. President Correa also informed the international community that his government among other countries had held conversations with FARC for the humanitarian purpose of liberating 12 Colombian hostages. Negotiations were well in advance and Ingrid Betancour was among those hostages to be released.  Correa then wonder if Colombia would link French President Sarkozy to the Farc or terrorism. Correa mentioned figures on his government policy toward FARC camps; it had dismantled many like any other Ecuadorian government in the past.  Finally, President Correa called for unity in the confrontation of this new historical test.


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  Ecuadorian authorities explained they were taking care of the women injured at the FARC camp on Satruday out of a humanitarian dictum. It also emerged that one the women injured by the Colombian forces is Mexican.  

Sources: Aló Presidente, Globovision, Unionradio, BBC, CSM, El Pais.es, El Mundo.es, PrInside, Telesur, VTV, Caracol, RCN, El Comercio, Hoy, El Universo, Aljazeera, Le Figaro, NYT, PressTV, RFI, Gramma,     

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)