Chávez's government not to tolerate armed incursions in Venezuela

[Judi Lynn]

CARACAS, Friday May 01, 2009
Chávez's government not to tolerate armed incursions in Venezuela
President Chávez keeps his distance from the FARC

Western Hemisphere Following Colombian President Álvaro Uribe's request to pursue the guerrillas of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) on the border between Colombia and Venezuela, President Hugo Chávez warned that he will not permit "any type of armed incursion that violates Venezuela's sovereignty."

"I was told that the President of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe, called from Europe and asked for our support to capture some Colombian members of a guerrilla group," Chávez said in a nationwide mandatory radio and TV broadcast, as quoted by state-run news agency ABN.

Chávez said that Venezuela has reasserted its traditional position. "We do not permit and will not permit any armed incursion that violates Venezuela's sovereignty, wherever it comes from. This is our big commitment."

He reiterated that this position is known by his Colombian counterpart President Uribe and by the people of Colombia.

"We do not have any ace in the hole. We do not support the Colombian guerrillas. It is a Colombian war. It is not our war. We are not going to get involved in that conflict. And no matter what pressure is exerted upon us, we will not change our minds. President Uribe is aware of our position. The people of Colombia are also aware of it, Chávez said.

More:
http://english.eluniversal.com/2009/05/01/en_pol_esp_chavezs-government_01A2312887.shtml
Opposition newspaper