CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez said Sunday he is putting relations with Colombia “in the freezer” after its president ended the Venezuelan leader’s role mediating with leftist rebels in the neighboring country.
The announcement drew a strong rebuke from Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who said Chavez’s actions suggest he wants to see a “terrorist government” run by leftist rebels in Bogotá. Uribe also suggested Chavez might be looking to stir up conflict to boost his image ahead of a referendum on constitutional changes next weekend.
Chavez was responding to Uribe’s decision Wednesday to end his role mediating preliminary talks with Colombian guerrillas, aimed at negotiating a prisoner swap to free rebel- held hostages, including three Americans. Uribe said through a spokesman that Chavez broke the conditions of his involvement by directly contacting the chief of Colombia’s army.
