THE FORUMUse Notice: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues of environmental and humanitarian significance. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.
All works published by Petroleumworld are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.Petroleumworld has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Petroleumworld endorsed or sponsored by the originator.
World
Petroleumworld
Bookstore
Institutional
links
OPEC
Petroleumworld
Business Partners
Blogspots
recomended
Le Blog des
Energies Nouvelles
  |
|
Lagniappe
Ray Walser : Chavez and
FARC to Colombia: A Body of Lies
In a major press conference on July 15, outgoing Colombian Minister of Defense Gabriel Silva briefed the national press on the presence of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) leaders and camps in Venezuela. Silva reported the location of one such camp at the following coordinates : North 10° 40' 42? West 72° 32' 03—close to the Venezuelan border city of Villa del Rosario. Silva said this camp appeared to be permanent and is used by FARC leader Ivan Marquez for meetings with the pro-FARC support group the “ Bolivarian Continental Movement ,” a political front for narco-terrorists. Silva added that other senior FARC officials operate with impunity inside Venezuela and maintain separate camps.
The FARC-Chávez connection has previously been well documented, as has Venezuela's growing connections with the drug trade , the foundation of FARC's illicit income.
Silva concluded : “The continued and permanent tolerance of the presence of terrorists in that country is a threat to the security of Colombia.” He noted that it was important to set the record straight before President Uribe turns the reins of government over to President-elect Juan Manuel Santos on August 7.
As on previous occasions, Chávez responded by proclaiming his innocence and denying the allegations. Chávez's officials said the area was checked and that no such camps have been found. They charged Colombia and the Uribe Administration with seeking to sabotage relations before Santos can take office. Venezuela recalled its ambassador to Colombia .
This latest round in the Colombia-Venezuela dispute merits serious attention by the newly established South American Defense Council, a part of South America's UNASUR and by the Organization of American States (OAS) as well. Latin American diplomats and security experts need to step forward to support a serious investigation of Colombia's allegations.
As made clear by this latest Colombia intelligence, Chávez ‘s association with international terrorism remains substantial and deeply-rooted within his increasingly opaque and secretive regime.
Ray Walser, a veteran Foreign Service officer, is a Senior Policy Analyst specializing in Latin America at The Heritage Foundation. Petroleumworld does not necessarily share these views.
Editor's Note: This commentary was originally published by The Foundry , June 16, 2010. Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest of our readers
All comments posted and published on Petroleumworld, do not reflect either for or against the opinion expressed in the comment as an endorsement of Petroleumworld. All comments expressed are private comments and do not necessary reflect the view of this website. All comments are posted and published without liability to Petroleumworld.Petroleumworld encourages persons to reproduce, reprint, or broadcast Petroleumworld articles provided that any such reproduction identify the original source, http://www.petroleumworld.com or else and it is done within the fair use as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.
If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Internet web links to http://www.petroleumworld.com are appreciatedPetroleumworld News 07/23/2010
Petroleumworld welcomes your feedback
and comments, share your thoughts on this article,
your feedback is important to us!
We invite all our readers to share with us their views and
comments about this article, write to editor@petroleumworld.comCopyright© 1999-2010 Petroleumworld or respective author or news agency. All rights reserved.
We welcome the use of Petroleumworld™ stories by anyone provided it mentions Petroleumworld.com as the source. Other stories you have to get authorization by its authorsSend this story to a friend Any question or suggestions,
please write to: editor@petroleumworld.comBest Viewed with IE 5.01+Windows NT 4.0, '95, '98, ME,
XP, Vista, W7 +/ 800x600 pixels