Colombian Military Chief: FARC Is Still Using Venezuela As A Base Of Operations Against Colombia

A Colombian policeman stands guard behind confiscated mortar shells displayed for the media in Arauca July 17. Rifles, grenades and ammunition were seized in the Arauquita province during an army operation against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), authorities said. John Vizcaino/Reuters

Colombian Military Chief's FARC Comment May Chill Ties With Venezuela -- Christian Science Monitor

Adm. Edgar Cely said that members of the guerrilla group are hiding in Venezuela, a claim that Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has avoided in order to boost relations with Caracas.

The head of Colombia’s armed forces, Adm. Edgar Cely, declared this week in a radio interview that left-wing guerrillas are hiding in Venezuelan territory – an accusation that may chill the warming relations between his country and neighboring Venezuela.

The comments will worry Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who has tirelessly attempted to placate his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez since Mr. Santos came to power in August 2010. In April, he declared that Venezuela was entirely free from the FARC, Colombia’s Marxist guerillas. Santos congratulated Mr. Chávez on the achievement in what was believed to be a political move designed to put an end to a breaking of diplomatic ties.

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My Comment: Venezuela's policy since Chavez came to power has been to always support revolutionary movements (with the exception of those who oppose them) throughout Latin America. I do not expect this to change, even though they have made a few public announcements that such groups no longer exist in their country.