President Hugo Chavez Frias condemns guerilla activities

www.vheadline.com Posted: Monday, March 10, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

President Hugo Chavez Frias has condemned Colombian guerilla activity and has called upon the neighboring country's several guerrilla organizations to respect Venezuelan sovereignty and the integrity of its terrain.

Speaking during his weekly "Alo Presidente" radio show, the Venezuelan leader recalled the massacre of Carabobo when Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) launched an attack on Venezuelan soil.

"We denounce the attacks made by the ELN, now and forever, because this is a Colombian problem and not a Venezuelan one."

Foreign (MRE) Minister Roy Chaderton Matos echoed the President's words, "Venezuela has no interest in playing a role in Colombia's war, and we don't want Colombia interfering in our domestic affairs either."