Reply #13: UPDATE 2-Chavez says mediation breakoff hurts Colombia ties [View All]

[struggle4progress]

Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:07pm GMT

By Deisy Buitrago

CARACAS, Nov 24 (Reuters) - .... "The trust has gone and that's serious for bilateral relations and it certainly will affect ties with Colombia, I have no doubt about that," Chavez told state television ...

For months, Chavez had sought to persuade Marxist FARC rebels to release dozens of hostages, including a French-Colombian politician, Ingrid Betancourt, and three U.S. defense contractors held for years in secret jungle camps ...

On Thursday, Chavez said he disagreed with Uribe and complained the Colombian leader had not consulted him before announcing the move. But he also accepted the decision and even offered to try again should Uribe change his mind ...

"I feel betrayed. I feel that my good faith was betrayed," he said, calling it absurd that Uribe did not call him first ...

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN2434995020071124