Colombia releases official notice in response to Venezuela
{{date|January 17, 2005}} 

The government of [[Colombia]] released an official notice in response to [[Venezuela]]'s 
claims. Recently Venezuela said Colombian authorities illegally invaded Venezuelan
territory and kidnapped [[w:FARC|FARC]] adviser Rodrigo Granda (also known as Ricardo Gonzalez). Colombia said that Colombian forces captured Granda inside Colombian territory. Colombia also accused Venezuela of harboring terrorists.

At first, Venezuela accused Colombia of invading Venezuelan territory and capturing Granda. Later, Venezuela said that Colombia may have bribed Venezuelan public officers.

The Venezuelan government's protests are a request of the FARC. The FARC demands that the Venezuelan government assures the safety and freedom of their members inside Venezuelan territory.

The complete Colombian declaration follows:

<div style="background:#FFCCCC;">
'''HOUSE OF NARIÑO COMMUNIQUÉ'''

[[Image:Loudspeaker.png]] [[media:Colombia narino02162005.ogg|'''audio''']]: voice of the Press Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic of Colombia Ricardo Gallant(in Spanish) <br><br>

1. The right of the people to be free of terrorists needs the efficient and
resolute cooperation of all democratic governments.

2. Colombia pays rewards to informants who allow the capture of terrorists. It
does not bribe. Venezuela must present proves supporting the alleged bribe to
government officials.

3. We cannot be cynically deceived by the FARC which presents the capture of
kidnappers like kidnapping.

4. Colombia will present proves to the Venezuelan Government regarding the
protection provided by officials of that country to Mr. Granda. The safe haven
provided to terrorists violates the sovereignty of Colombia, an offended
country, for it increases the risk of terror against its citizens.

5. Colombia does not accept that representatives of terrorist organizations be
admitted in a political event sponsored by official Venezuelan institutions.
Political opposition is one thing another very different one is terrorism.

6. With surprise it is read in the Foreign Affairs Office in Venezuela
communiqué, the intention of involving 4 Colombian police officers in the Granda
case. The Venezuelan authorities timely new that it concerned another
antinarcotics operation. They were investigated and released.

7. Colombia has used the diplomatic and official channels. What is demanded is
that such channels operate in an efficient manner. Once again, information will
be delivered to that Government concerning the presence of Colombian terrorists
on Venezuelan soil. The name of 7 high ranking terrorist leaders and the
location of various camps will be included

8. The will of the Colombian Government to work in harmony with the Government
of Venezuela is reiterated and according to the procedure defined by the Offices
of Foreign Affairs.

9. Terrorism cannot harm the unity of our nations.

January 16, 2005

'''House of Nariño'''

</div>

==Related news==
* [[Uribe-Chavez meeting postponed]] February 4, 2005.
* [[Venezuela-Colombia crisis:Castro intervenes, Chavez and Uribe scheduled to meet]] February 01, 2005.
* [[Venezuela-Colombia crisis continues]] January 24, 2005.
* [[Brazilian President meets President of Colombia]] January 20, 2005.
* [[Marxist intellectuals support arrested FARC leader]] January 15, 2005.
* [[Capture of FARC member creates crisis between Venezuela and Colombia]], January 15, 2005.

==External links==
*[http://www.farcep.org/novedades/comunicados/sec2005/enero_02.php The FARC]
*[http://www.presidencia.gov.co/Ingles/news/2005/jan/16/01162005.htm House of Nariño Communiqué] ([http://www.presidencia.gov.co/sne/2005/enero/16/01162005.htm Original Spanish version])

{{publish}}
{{archive}}
[[Category:Colombia]]
[[Category:Venezuela]]
[[Category:South America]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Hugo Chávez]]
The government of Colombia released an official notice in response to Venezuela's 
claims. Recently Venezuela said Colombian authorities illegally invaded Venezuelan
territory and kidnapped FARC adviser Rodrigo Granda (also known as Ricardo Gonzalez). Colombia said that Colombian forces captured Granda inside Colombian territory. Colombia also accused Venezuela of harboring terrorists.

At first, Venezuela accused Colombia of invading Venezuelan territory and capturing Granda. Later, Venezuela said that Colombia may have bribed Venezuelan public officers.

The Venezuelan government's protests are a request of the FARC. The FARC demands that the Venezuelan government assures the safety and freedom of their members inside Venezuelan territory.

The complete Colombian declaration follows:


'HOUSE OF NARIÑO COMMUNIQUÉ'

Image:Loudspeaker.png 'audio': voice of the Press Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic of Colombia Ricardo Gallant(in Spanish) 

1. The right of the people to be free of terrorists needs the efficient and
resolute cooperation of all democratic governments.

2. Colombia pays rewards to informants who allow the capture of terrorists. It
does not bribe. Venezuela must present proves supporting the alleged bribe to
government officials.

3. We cannot be cynically deceived by the FARC which presents the capture of
kidnappers like kidnapping.

4. Colombia will present proves to the Venezuelan Government regarding the
protection provided by officials of that country to Mr. Granda. The safe haven
provided to terrorists violates the sovereignty of Colombia, an offended
country, for it increases the risk of terror against its citizens.

5. Colombia does not accept that representatives of terrorist organizations be
admitted in a political event sponsored by official Venezuelan institutions.
Political opposition is one thing another very different one is terrorism.

6. With surprise it is read in the Foreign Affairs Office in Venezuela
communiqué, the intention of involving 4 Colombian police officers in the Granda
case. The Venezuelan authorities timely new that it concerned another
antinarcotics operation. They were investigated and released.

7. Colombia has used the diplomatic and official channels. What is demanded is
that such channels operate in an efficient manner. Once again, information will
be delivered to that Government concerning the presence of Colombian terrorists
on Venezuelan soil. The name of 7 high ranking terrorist leaders and the
location of various camps will be included

8. The will of the Colombian Government to work in harmony with the Government
of Venezuela is reiterated and according to the procedure defined by the Offices
of Foreign Affairs.

9. Terrorism cannot harm the unity of our nations.

January 16, 2005

'House of Nariño'
Colombia Venezuela South America Politics and conflicts Hugo Chávez