MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Kirchner and Ecuador’s Correa to mediate in Venezuela/Colombia row

First serious task for former Argentine president Nestor Kirchner

Former Argentine president and current Secretary-General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), Néstor Kirchner, “will collaborate in the mediation led by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, in order to overcome the crisis between the Colombian and Venezuelan governments”.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced Thursday the rupture of diplomatic relations with neighbouring Colombia following Bogotá’s claim before the OAS (Organization of American States) that Venezuelan territory is a haven for FARC and ELN guerrilla groups.

“Kirchner, as UNASUR Secretary-General, held permanent communications with regional leaders, due to the worries over the increasing tension” between Venezuela and Colombia, due to the complaint filed by Bogotá over the presence of Colombian FARC guerrilla member camps in Venezuelan soil.

Kirchner dialogued, in consequence, with Correa, pro-tempore head of the UNASUR, and with Brazilian President Lula da Silva, along with his advisor in international issues, Marco Aurelio García, among others.

During these conversations, “it was decided to make all efforts possible in order to overcome the crisis”.

Also, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked Colombia and Venezuela to resolve their differences ”through dialogue.“

”The secretary-general expects differences between Colombia and Venezuela to be resolved via dialogue“ Martin Nesirky, Ban Ki-moon's spokesman, said in a statement. The secretary-general ”has requested moderation by all parts, so that the situation may be resolved in a pacific manner,” he added.