Columbia to bring genocide charges against Venezuela's Chavez
Hugo Chavez has ordered troops to the border
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Tuesday, 04, Mar 2008 10:38
Colombian president Alvaro Uribe has said that he will ask the international criminal court to bring genocide charges against the Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.
Mr Uribe's call comes as friction between the two countries and Ecuador increases, after a Colombian military incursion into Ecuador's territory on Saturday, left a leading commander of the left-wing Farc rebel group, Paul Reyes, and at least 16 others dead.
The Colombian president has accused Mr Chavez of financing the rebel group.
"Colombia proposes to denounce the president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, in the international criminal court for sponsoring and financing genocide," Mr Uribe said.
As a result of Columbia's actions on the weekend, Venezuela recalled its ambassador from Bogota while Ecuador suspended all diplomacy with Colombia.
Both countries also moved troops up to the border with Colombia, leading to other regional powers to call for a de-escalation of tensions.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has described the attack on the Farc group as a "cowardly murder", calling Mr Uribe a "criminal" and saying a similar incursion into Venezuelan territory would be "cause for war".
His Ecuadorian counterpart Rafael Correa yesterday said an explanation from Colombia was "no longer sufficient," according to Granma International. He accused Mr Uribe of "lying to the world".
Brazil, the US and the UN are all calling for restraint but Colombia has increased tensions by accusing Ecuador of acting in collaboration with Farc.