OAS: Venezuela has no links to terrorism (updated II)

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Caracas, 10 April 2007. During a congressional hearing at Washington, the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulsa explained the organization dealings in the recent diplomatic crisis among Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. During the hearing and upon request of Republican Connie Mack, Insulza clearly stated there was no evidence Venezuela supported terrorist groups.  Mack interrupted Insulza on different occasions. He also pressed OAS representative to do more on regional crisis and against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dealings with FARC. Insulza insisted OAS could only do what its member states decided. It was not a military organization, Insulza added.

On the other hand, Republican representative Dan Burton asked Insulza whether Ecuador had violated UN resolution 1373 on terrorism. Insulza denied such suggestions Ecuador was not interested in preventing FARC activities in its territory.  

The current Bush administration tried to get Venezuela in the terrorist country list to no avail. Furthermore, it failed to push Congress approval of the Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. Democrats decided-224 to 195- to freeze it upon improvements of Human Rights by Colombian government.

Speaking from Argentina today, Under Secretary Thomas Shanon stated the American government would like to improve bilateral relations with Venezuela. Political relations continue to be tense while commerce continues to flourish between the two countries. The new change in the US approach to Venezuela seems to be motivated by the imminent change in administration after the Bush term is over.   

PS: Reacting on the freezing of the FTA with Colombia, American President George W. Bush blamed democrats for affecting both the economy, nationl security and the bilateral relation with an ally. Colombian Presidency, Casa Nariño, stated that every day without a FTA there is a missed opportunity for improvement in both countries.

On Friday April 11,  the Director of the Office of National Drug Control at the White House, John Walters asked European countries to have Venezuela stop helping FARC drug business.  This request can be interpreted as the consequences of comments made by Insulza yesterday. Venezuela expelled the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) office in Venezuela long ago. It was accused of covert activities against the Chavez government.  It also shows the contradictory political approach towards Venezuela. On the one hand, Venezuela under Chavez is accused of being a destabilizing force in the region that deals with covert terrorism and drug dealings. On the other hand, it is given a promising but uncertain proposal of better political relations in the future. There are certainly two  

Sources: Globovision, VTV, unionradio, BBC Mundo, Aljazeera, El Universal, Telesur, ABN, RNV, El Comercio, Caracol, RCN, El Tiempo, Financial Times, El Mundo.es,

Related stories: Startling Evidence Links Hugo Chavez to FARC, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela crisis: OAS findings (updated III),