March 3rd, 2008:
How can one explain chavez's explosive behavior with regards to the whole bilateral conflict between Ecuador and Colombia? The Colombian incursion was in Ecuador, not Venezuela.
FARC's reaction to Reyes' death is not even remotely compared to the radical and inflammatory rhetoric Chavez has chosen over the Issue. While FARC state they don't see Reyes' death as an obstacle for talks about "humanitarian exchanges", Chavez is already expelling the Colombian Ambassador and mobilizing troops to the border. What reason is there behind that?
And the issue is not even directly connected to Venezuela! The problem itself is a sovereignty issue between Colombia and Ecuador, not Venezuela... Chavez's response to the whole deal is disproportionate! Even Correa has been more moderate in his tone calling for the OAS to mediate conflict resolution, he should be the one kicking and screaming, not Chavez!
This only hints to thinking, and actually stating (Hear Chavez's words on Telesur when he decides to mobilize troops and hold 1 minute silence for Reyes' death) that he (at least) tacitly supports the FARC...
March 5th, 2008:
The OAS will not condemn Colombia for its actions, and agreements between the two parties are underway in Washington...
There is consensus between Ecuador and Colombia in order to start working a diplomatic settlement of this dispute.
From elespectador.com "La canciller Salvador, quien está dirigiendo el equipo ecuatoriano en las discusiones, dijo que las dos partes “hemos avanzado bastante, muy positivamente”. "
This is the best piece of news so far. Regardless of the ruthless Colombian incursion into Ecuadorian territory (in my opinion justified to some extent alleging prosecution of a Colombian narco-guerrilla who has been tormenting Colombians for over 40 years and hold no public support of the Colombian people because of their repetitive human rights abuses, killings and hostage taking), Venezuela had NOTHING to wine about here in the first place, as I have stated before. It is a bilateral crisis between Colombia and Ecuador and I'm glad to see it is being dealt that way at the OAS. The possibility of war is thus decreasing as I write. Such a relief.
Chavez has been IRRESPONSIBLE beyond belief on this whole issue, once again his mouth running wild and igniting fires were there's no need for such behavior. I ask, once again, what is his stake on the whole thing? A FARC rebel is killed and the goes ballistic beyond reason? (This is NOT US department os State propaganda trying to link Chavez with the FARC, its a real life reaction by a man/goverment that was evidently hurt by the killing of Raul Reyes last saturday. To deny that would be simply apologetic to Chavez)
On the other hand, I remain skeptical about the Colombian "proofs" that link Chavez and Correa to the FARC... The whole Reyes "laptop" informations smells more like a colombian fabrication... Even if it is real, the evidence is far from clear and does not, by any means, draw clear connections between Chavez or Correa with the FARC, much less an alleged $300 million transfer. This piece by Adam Isacson, Director of Programs at The Centre for International Policy, should draw some light with respect to the documents found on Reyes "laptop", and how the connections the Colombian government is making with Chavez and Correa and the FARC could be missleading...
Hasta luego!
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