Spanish judge demands Venezuela explains FARC/ETA ties

[Bacchus4.0]

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/26801-spanish-judge-demands-venezuela-explain-farceta-ties.html

A Spanish judge on Thursday insisted that Caracas explains the relationship between the Venezuelan government, Colombian rebel group FARC and Basque separatist group ETA.

Judge Eloy Velasco charged six members of the Basque Separatist group ETA and seven members of the Colombian socialist group FARC with varying offenses, most notable conspiring to assassinate Colombian members of state in Spain including the then president Alvaro Uribe, something that the Venezuelan government have been accused of aiding the groups with.

Judge Velasco disclosed he believed the FARC asked the ETA for help in the assassination plot, using camps established just in Venezuelan territory in 2003 to communicate with the Spanish insurgents.

The judge requested information two years ago from the Venezuelan government however the President Hugo Chavez refused to give any information on the grounds that the claims made by the Spaniards were false.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Venezuela is sovereign and does not answer to a Spanish court

The judge can demand all he wants...

[bemildred]

2. Yep, he seems a bit confused for a judge.

I know that judges have rather arbitrary powers under continental legal systems, but only within their own turf. One is reminded of the other guy, Baltasar Garzon, who also over-reached.

[Bacchus4.0]

3. well since the plot involved Spanish citizens and was to occur in Spain

it would of interest to the court to have Venezuela explain their involvement. Venezuelan officials could still be indicted in Spain if they were part of the plot. Don't worry though, I am sure the Ven administration will decline to answer the court.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. He can ask, not demand

[Bacchus4.0]

5. yep, but its unlikely that Venezuelan officials are going to appear to discuss the Ven

administration's role in allowing FARC and ETA to train in their territory in order to assassinate Colombian officials. I am sure you agree with that.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. How dare such a lackey of the capitalist running dogs sully the good name of the

Venezuelan people and their righteous leadership....