MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Political asylum in Colombia for former president

The Colombian government granted on Tuesday political asylum to former Ecuadorian President Lucio Gutierrez, easing fears he might have to return to Ecuador and face prosecution.

Mr. Gutierrez who was ousted as president last April and faces charges of having damaged Ecuador's security arrived in Colombia last September 21 after having been in United States and Peru.

The office of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe announced in an official release that Mr. Gutierrez and three associates had been granted "territorial asylum" and the Republic of Ecuador "has been informed" through the Colombian ambassador in Quito.

Last week, Ecuadorian authorities said they had given Colombia documentation on Gutierrez's indictment and prosecution. The 49-year-old former army colonel, who was ousted by Ecuadorian Congress April 20 in a constitutionally dubious procedure, alleges he is the target of political persecution.

Mr. Gutierrez was replaced by vice president Alfredo Palacio.

However Mr Gutierrez, who still regards himself as Ecuador's elected president, hopes to return to the country soon and stated that the country is "in total chaos" and Palacio is "displaying great incompetence".

Alfredo Palacio, has in the past defended the legitimacy of his government, saying that congress' decision to sack the president was constitutional.