Colombian Foreign Minister says his country will keep an eye on Venezuela, which Spanish investigations claim to be supporting rebel groups in Spain and Colombia.

 

A ruling by Spain's High Court says the Venezuelan Government facilitated contacts between the armed groups. Colombian FARC guerrillas asked Basque ETA rebels for logistical help, in case it tried to assassinate Colombian officials visiting Spain.

 

Colombia is asking for further details on the investigation.

 

[Jaime Bermudez, Colombian Foreign Minister]:

"We want a direct conversation just like the other countries, and in this case with Venezuela, to talk about all the delicate issues, and among these is the one that you mentioned.”

 

A Spanish High Court judge issued arrest warrants for 13 FARC and ETA suspects, including one Spanish-born employee of the Venezuelan government.

 

[Jaime Bermudez, Colombian Foreign Minister]:

“The Spanish government has asked the Venezuelan Government for an explanation and we will keep an eye on that. And through our embassy, we have also asked if it is possible to have precise information about the case.”

 

Venezuela reacted strongly to the case and released a statement saying the ruling made several disrespectful references that were so-called unfounded and tendentious allusions about the Venezuelan Government. 

 

[Jaime Bermudez, Colombian Foreign Minister]:

“There is a mechanism today, [which goes] through our friendly countries, that [allows] both countries, Venezuela and Colombia, both governments, to meet as soon as possible to talk about these issues. We also have to take into account that this is an investigation from a third country, [from] an independent institution, which is the Spanish Justice.”

 

The spat comes as tensions run high between Venezuela and its neighbor Colombia, over Venezuela's alleged support for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. 

 

Spain's relations with Venezuela have suffered in recent years, with King Juan Carlos telling Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to "shut up" at a summit in Chile in 2007, after repeatedly interrupting Spain's premier.