Colombia recalled its ambassador to Caracas on Wednesday, one day before the Organization of American States (OAS) hears Colombian complaints about the presence of FARC leaders in Venezuelan territory.
According to several Colombian media, ambassador Maria Luisa Chiappe was recalled to Bogota by President Alvaro Uribe, who accuses the government of President Hugo Chavez of refusing to act against FARC leaders taking refuge in Venezuela.
Colombian radio station Caracol reported that the ambassador had already returned to her home country to receive instructions from the national government on how to deal with the diplomatic crisis between the two neighbors.
On Friday, Chavez withdrew his country’s ambassador from Bogota for consultations to help “evaluate a series of measures” that Venezuela is examining.
According to the Venezuelan head of state, the ongoing accusations are part of a United States-orchestrated plot to discredit Washington’s most vociferous critic in the hemisphere.
Ambassadors of the two countries will meet on Thursday when the OAS meets to hear Colombian claims about the location of FARC leaders in Venezuela.
Colombia and Venezuela have had difficult relations ever since March 2008 when Colombia accused the Venezuelan government of financially sponsoring the FARC, considered a terrorist group by Bogota, Washington and Brussels.
