Chavez: We won't tolerate rebels in Venezuela

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

June 3, 2011
Chavez: We won't tolerate rebels in Venezuela

(AP) CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez said Thursday he will not to tolerate the presence of Colombian guerrillas in Venezuelan territory, adding that he's confident Colombia's government would in turn capture any opponents conspiring against his government.

"We are not going to allow the presence of any armed group," including rebels, paramilitary fighters and drug traffickers in Venezuelan territory, Chavez said before meeting with former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. "We have fulfilled our obligations."

The socialist leader's comments came a day after Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced that a top commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, was captured across the border in Venezuela.

Venezuelan security forces captured Guillermo Torres, better known by his alias "Julian Conrado," and later contacted Colombian authorities after identifying the rebel leader, Chavez said. Venezuela announced in a statement that Torres would soon be extradited to Colombia.



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/03/ap/latinamerica/main20068870.shtml

[COLGATE4]

1. Whoops. Torres just became expendable.