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Colombia protests Nicaraguan presidential remarks (updated)

by rahul | June 20, 2008 at 05:12 pm

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Updates: On 21 June 2008 and according to Caracol network, Colombian Foreign Minister revealed his governments might ask for the extradition of three surviving girls from the 1 March incident in Ecuador. However, it is very unlikely it would succeed in doing so. Colombian forces entered Ecuadorian territory illegally and killed 26 people; instead of providing assistance to the survivors left them unattended. Such circumstances make it rather difficult international community or Nicaragua would entertain Colombian extradition request.

Caracas, Venezuela, 20 June, 2008. Today, Colombian Foreign Minister - Fernando Araujo- protested the opinion expressed on his President Alvaro Uribe by his Nicaraguan counterpart, Daniel Ortega. Commenting on the 50-year-old civil conflict in Colombia, President Ortega equated actions of Alvaro Uribe with terrorism. After recalling the events of 1 March 2008 that caused a regional conflict when Colombia invaded Ecuadorian territory unsolicited, Ortega stated Bogota promoted state terrorism. Ortega also condemned attempts made by Uribe´s administration to kill the three girls- tow Colombians and a Mexican- who survived the 1 March Colombian incursion in Ecuador. They now live in Nicaragua protected as refugees. They are expected to bring international charges against Alvaro Uribe in the near future. On the other hand, Colombian government regretted President Ortega partook company with the three surviving girls who are criminal according to Colombian justice system.

Colombia and Nicaragua currently dispute the sovereignty of several Caribbean island and their common boundaries. The case is in the hands of the International Court of Justice.

Sources: VTV, El Nuevo Siglo, Globovision, El Tiempo, El Colombiano, YVKE, Telesur, Caracol, El Espectador, El Comercio,