Ecuador President Rafael Correa said on Sunday that if Colombia carries
out another cross-border attack like the one on a FARC camp in 2008,
Ecuador’s response will be military.
When asked on local television, the President said he will not “allow an insult to the homeland as happened on March 1 2008 in Angostura”, referring to an incident in which Colombia bombed a FARC camp just over the Ecuadorean border, klling 26 people including the rebel’s number two, Raul Reyes.
According to Correa, a military response is the only possible way for Ecuador to respond.
“Colombia was totally condemned [by the Organization of American States], but they continue to have this attitude,” Correa said.
“If they attack us again, of course the response will be military,” stressing a repercussion would consist of “smart bombs” fired on Colombian territory.
Ecuador said his government would also not allow the incursion of any of Colombia’s illegal armed groups to enter the country and distanced himself from the practices of the FARC.
Colombian and Ecuadorean ties have been strained after the Colombian bombing of a FARC camp in Ecuador. The release of a video in which a FARC commander confirms Colombian allegations that the guerrillas financially supported the 2006 campaign of Correa has worsened the relations even further.
