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Chavez freezes ties with Colombia Chavez freezes ties with Colombia
(20 minutes later)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has frozen his country's bilateral ties with neighbouring Colombia.Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has frozen his country's bilateral ties with neighbouring Colombia.
The move follows the decision by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to end Mr Chavez's role as a hostage negotiator with Colombia's Farc rebels.The move follows the decision by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to end Mr Chavez's role as a hostage negotiator with Colombia's Farc rebels.
The move followed a series of apparent diplomatic breaches. Mr Chavez said that the decision to end his mediation role was "a spit in the face" and denounced Mr Uribe as a liar.
Mr Chavez accused Mr Uribe of "lying in a shameless way", and said that the decision to end his mediation role was "like a spit in the face". In response, Mr Uribe said Mr Chavez wants Colombia to "become the victim of the terrorist government of the Farc".
"I declare before the world that I'm putting relations with Colombia in the freezer because I've completely lost confidence with everyone in the Colombian government," said Mr Chavez during a televised speech."I declare before the world that I'm putting relations with Colombia in the freezer because I've completely lost confidence with everyone in the Colombian government," said Mr Chavez during a televised speech.
"The companies that Colombians have over here, the companies we have over there - all of that will be damaged," he told his cabinet."The companies that Colombians have over here, the companies we have over there - all of that will be damaged," he told his cabinet.
Hostage swapHostage swap
Mr Chavez was reacting to a decision by President Uribe of Colombia to end his role in negotiations with the Marxist Farc rebels for the release of dozens of hostages seized during the country's civil war.Mr Chavez was reacting to a decision by President Uribe of Colombia to end his role in negotiations with the Marxist Farc rebels for the release of dozens of hostages seized during the country's civil war.
Attempts to free the hostages have been going on for several years, but the process appeared to take a step forward in August when Mr Chavez volunteered to act as a mediator between the right-wing Colombian government and the left-wing rebels.Attempts to free the hostages have been going on for several years, but the process appeared to take a step forward in August when Mr Chavez volunteered to act as a mediator between the right-wing Colombian government and the left-wing rebels.
A plan was drawn up for the rebels to hand over 45 hostages in exchange for the release of 500 imprisoned Farc guerrillas.A plan was drawn up for the rebels to hand over 45 hostages in exchange for the release of 500 imprisoned Farc guerrillas.
It worries me that the search for an agreement will be used by the guerrillas to advance their policies Colombian President Alvaro UribeIt worries me that the search for an agreement will be used by the guerrillas to advance their policies Colombian President Alvaro Uribe
But correspondents say Mr Uribe, whose own father was killed by the Farc, became increasingly irritated by Mr Chavez's apparent disregard for the proper diplomatic channels.But correspondents say Mr Uribe, whose own father was killed by the Farc, became increasingly irritated by Mr Chavez's apparent disregard for the proper diplomatic channels.
Photos had appeared of Mr Chavez posing with a Farc commander.Photos had appeared of Mr Chavez posing with a Farc commander.
Then, earlier this week, Mr Chavez revealed that Mr Uribe had told him that he was prepared to meet Farc leader Manuel Marulanda.Then, earlier this week, Mr Chavez revealed that Mr Uribe had told him that he was prepared to meet Farc leader Manuel Marulanda.
This further angered the Colombian president, who said the conversation had been confidential.This further angered the Colombian president, who said the conversation had been confidential.
Eventually, Mr Chavez was dropped after he defied a Colombian order not to be in direct contact with Colombia's army chief.Eventually, Mr Chavez was dropped after he defied a Colombian order not to be in direct contact with Colombia's army chief.
Relatives' sorrowRelatives' sorrow
The French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has urged Mr Uribe to reconsider his decision to end Mr Chavez's role.The French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has urged Mr Uribe to reconsider his decision to end Mr Chavez's role.
President Sarkozy has taken a particular interst in the issue, because one of the hostages - Ingrid Betancourt - holds French citizenship.President Sarkozy has taken a particular interst in the issue, because one of the hostages - Ingrid Betancourt - holds French citizenship.
Mr Sarkozy said he believed the Venezuelan leader was still the best person to broker an exchange.Mr Sarkozy said he believed the Venezuelan leader was still the best person to broker an exchange.
Colombians react to the end of Hugo Chavez's mediation effortsIn picturesColombians react to the end of Hugo Chavez's mediation effortsIn pictures
Relatives of Farc-held hostages expressed shock and grief at the end of Mr Chavez's participation as dozens gathered near the presidential palace in Bogota to protest on Thursday.Relatives of Farc-held hostages expressed shock and grief at the end of Mr Chavez's participation as dozens gathered near the presidential palace in Bogota to protest on Thursday.
"We thought it was very brave what President Chavez did in three months compared to what the government has failed to do in 10 years," Jose Uriel Perez, whose nephew was taken by Farc in 1998, told AP."We thought it was very brave what President Chavez did in three months compared to what the government has failed to do in 10 years," Jose Uriel Perez, whose nephew was taken by Farc in 1998, told AP.
"Nothing touches this government - not the deaths, nor our mourning, nor the pain the families of the kidnapped live with.""Nothing touches this government - not the deaths, nor our mourning, nor the pain the families of the kidnapped live with."