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Chavez Pissed Off over Raul reyes death( Chavez warns Colombia military move spurs war )

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warned his Colombian counterpart on Saturday that war would break out between the South American neighbors if Colombia's military crossed into Venezuelan territory.
Chavez railed against Colombian forces for entering Ecuadorean territory on a Saturday raid that killed a senior commander of Colombia's largest guerrilla group, and he cautioned Colombian President Alvaro Uribe against similar actions along Venezuela's border.

"Don't think about doing that over here, because it would very serious, it would be cause for war," Chavez said. "How far is President Uribe willing to go in his warlike madness?"

Chavez, who maintains warm relations with the Colombian guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, said "it was obscene to see the smiling faces" of Colombian military commanders standing behind Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos as he announced the death of FARC spokesman Raul Reyes and 16 other rebels on Saturday.

"The Colombian government audaciously acknowledges they entered Ecuadorean territory," said Chavez, speaking during a televised meeting with his Cabinet. "We call on Colombia's government to clarify this."

Colombia's military tracked Reyes' location through an informant and bombed a camp on its side of the Ecuadorean border, where Reyes was thought to be, Santos said. Ground troops moved in, but came under attack from another camp across the border in Ecuador. When the military overran that camp, they found Reyes' body, Santos said.

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said Uribe had informed him of the raid.

"It appears the FARC entered Ecuadorean territory," said Correa. "The incident must be clarified a bit."

Uribe earlier called Reyes' death a step forward in defeating terrorism.

"Today we've taken another step in the process of recuperating the respect of the people of Colombia, the respect that our people deserve," Uribe told a news conference in Medellin, Colombia.

Chavez's warning is likely to aggravate tensions between the two South American neighbors, who have been locked in a diplomatic crisis since November, when Uribe ended Chavez's official role mediating a hostages-for-prisoners swap with the guerrillas.

Chavez angered Uribe by later urging world leaders to classify the FARC and the smaller National Liberation Army as "insurgents" rather than "terrorists" ahead of possible peace talks.

The FARC has proposed trading some 40 remaining high-value captives, including former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. defense contractors, for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas.

Uribe and FARC leaders remain far apart on the conditions for talks, but Chavez helped to facilitate the unilateral release of six high-profile, rebel-held hostages this year.

Venezuela also issued a statement Saturday expressing concern that the death of Reyes, whose real name was Luis Edgar Devia Silva, could undermine efforts to broker a prisoner exchange.

"The death of Raul Reyes, the FARC's No. 2 commander, is a hard blow to the humanitarian agreement process, and reveals once again the stubborn behavior of those who prefer the military option and bet on the escalation of the armed conflict," Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said, reading the statement.

By DodgerDogs on Mar 1, 2008, 20:23 in Friendly Talkzone.

DodgerDogs says on Mar 1, 2008, 20:23:

Are Colombianos scared of Hugo ? ....Sounds almost if he is giving the message that Venezuela is a safe haven for Farc to hide

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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billyb says on Mar 1, 2008, 20:27:

jajjaja, he will be overthrown before the year is out. Pres Correa of Ecuador addressed Colombia today and expressed solidarity with it, Chavez has been marginalized, even by his idealogical brethren.

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billyb says on Mar 1, 2008, 20:28:

Remember, one colombian soldier is the equivalent of three venezuelans

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DodgerDogs says on Mar 1, 2008, 20:30:

BB, does Burlytown have a bomb shelter ? If it does I may head that way, cause right now
my barrio is too close to the Venzuela border. If Hugo comes knocking, I will back my loros and mekos and voy par EEUU..

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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Cerealkiller says on Mar 1, 2008, 20:32:

he calls on Colombia to clarify?? WTF is going on in his deluded head? The only country Colombia needs to clarify stuff to is Ecuador. As far as Im concerned Correa is the president of Ecuador, not Chavez...He needs to start minding his own damn bussiness, like for instance feeding his own people or perhaps trying to soften things up with his military. Typical dictator behavior, looking for stuff abroad to divert attention from local problems. Jackass.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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DodgerDogs says on Mar 1, 2008, 20:37:

This killing of Raul Reyes, has took Chavez role of peace keeper outta the headlines.
I think now he is pissed and ranting like a perrita who lost her Gringo novio, and his voice cant be heard world wide anymore.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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billyb says on Mar 1, 2008, 20:41:

DD, only if San Mateo tries to bomb us :) Totally agree CK.

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DodgerDogs says on Mar 1, 2008, 20:46:

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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goin_south says on Mar 1, 2008, 21:04:

""If Hugo comes knocking, I will back my loros and mekos and voy par EEUU..""

We'll warn the Border Patrol & Authorities

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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goin_south says on Mar 1, 2008, 21:05:

What?
The rest of S.A. along with N.A. allied forces vs.... Chavez?

By golly, GWB... I think we just solved the oil crisis! jejjje!

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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scotty says on Mar 1, 2008, 21:07:

Hugo better watch out or Colombia will kick his azz. Not only that most of the Venezuelan soldiers dont like Hugop or respect him I doubt if they would fight for him.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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bamacellist says on Mar 1, 2008, 21:09:

Hmmm.... I'm reading that Correa has called his ambassador to Colombia in for consultation and the statements he's making aren't reall friendly towards the military exercise. Perhaps this is just Correa demonstrating he's only a puppet of the little imperialst, Sr. Hugito.

But, we should all remember that there is, according to Chavez and Correa, some other country run by the Farc that sits between Ecuador and Colombia and could it be then, since this appears to have involved a Farc "villiage", that this didn't happen in Ecuador, but in Farclandia? (Farclandia...Farcovia...Farcadelfia... do we have the makings of a contest here?).

"The future is much like the present, only longer."

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billyb says on Mar 1, 2008, 21:38:

Bama, brilliant analysis. You are right, if Venezuela and Ecuador have a frontier with the FARC and not Colombia, so by the same token Colombia also doesn't have a frontier with los indiesitos, but with farclandia.

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la campiña says on Mar 1, 2008, 23:59:

If he keeps releasing hostages and keeps the yanks out of south america high fives

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billyb says on Mar 2, 2008, 00:08:

high fives to whom? By him "releasing" them, do you mean he (and we assume you mean the little simio, chavez?) kept them hostage? Ignorant statements have to be clarified.

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DodgerDogs says on Mar 2, 2008, 00:19:

When and if the Farc ever disbands, Cali and all of Colombia will be crowded with tourist.
It is big bad Colombians like BB and the Valle Mojado , and un deserving illusions of
Pablo Escobar types, and rebels like the Farc, that have stopped Colombia from being like
Costa Rico and Cancun.. So la campiña get ready fro a gringo invasion,it may not happen this year, but within the next 3 years no more Farc or Eln . Then it is Vaminos para Colombia
for fun in the sun... What will come of those die hard chucha hunters once Colombia is rodent free, the price of prepagos will triple and those cheap cervezas will cost 10 mil.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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goin_south says on Mar 2, 2008, 00:25:

Buy: Apartementos! Now... La_Camp.

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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DodgerDogs says on Mar 2, 2008, 00:28:

LA_ Camp , listen to the duck , as he is a smart bird.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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billyb says on Mar 2, 2008, 00:31:

DD, i will agree we have to keep Colombia from becoming CR and being overrun by backpackers and other packers. Maybe we just have to kill most of them and jsut keep a few.

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DodgerDogs says on Mar 2, 2008, 00:35:

BB, who is on the hit list, and who is on the keep list. It will be tough work for worn out
Cowboys like us , and the Bogota Bronc Buster has left on the stage coach, and Elmo has been tied to the stake in a Putaria in Baq, that leaves the daffy duck and his flock of amigos to fight the fight.. I think it may best , to just sit back with a cerveza fria and let the future play out.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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billyb says on Mar 2, 2008, 00:40:

DD, i hear ya, but we can start with peeps like u and GS, (and many others) who love colombia for the fishing, the history, the culture (ok, las viejitas tambien), etc... who for them (you) it's not just the next trendy thing.

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DodgerDogs says on Mar 2, 2008, 00:43:

BB, I am too young to die and too old to be dumb enough to fight for Chucha hunters.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 2, 2008, 02:17:

Countries Like Ecuador and Venezuela should be condemned for harboring terrorist, now those Farc criminals know that they can find a save heaven in Venezuela...
no wonder the army couldn't find them if they are all abroad... they said many of them are in Venezuela.

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podborski says on Mar 2, 2008, 04:22:

Venezuela harboring FARC terrorists? Can't be...I'm sure sr t said I was paranoid and making things up when I suggested that....well whaddya know....

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Ctg Bound says on Mar 2, 2008, 05:56:

Chavez is best ignored, he threatens everybody regularly, he is a large windbag.

Its a joke really Colombia should be the one threatening war, due to terrosit camps operating openly in Equador and Ven.

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tasco66 says on Mar 2, 2008, 08:46:

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 2, 2008, 08:52:

UYYY que miedo......

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tasco66 says on Mar 2, 2008, 09:11:

Looks like Chavez is really scarred now. That reminds me of the speeches of Saddam and his thugs before and during the Iraq invasion

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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podborski says on Mar 2, 2008, 10:04:

haha remember the spokesman for Saddam (damn how can I forget his nickname?) giving an interview in the streets of Baghdad saying the US troops were no where near and in the background a US tank rumbled by? Only time I'll ever laugh out loud at war

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 2, 2008, 10:29:

Chavez esta bravo porque le mataron al amigo

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Simon says on Mar 2, 2008, 11:10:

From the Miami Herald:

"Chávez, who maintains warm relations with the rebels, said ''it was obscene to see the smiling faces'' of Colombian military commanders standing behind Santos as he announced the death of Reyes."

That Chavez is a real crazy POS!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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elchantajista says on Mar 2, 2008, 18:04:

Why don't you just shut your f at $king mouth Hugo chavez, before Colombia shut it for you, somebody really needs to something about him, really ! he is getting old something gotta give

anda de parranda en Bogota "Vicente"

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goin_south says on Mar 2, 2008, 19:39:

elchantajista....where the f*ck have you been hiding?

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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elchantajista says on Mar 3, 2008, 17:27:

But there is little appetite for armed conflict in the region despite Chavez's recent purchases of $3 billion in Russian arms, including 53 military helicopters, 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles and 24 SU-30 Sukhoi fighter jets.

The economic costs, to begin with, are far too high.

Too many people depend on cross-border trade worth $5 billion a year, most of it Colombian exports sorely needed by Venezuelans already suffering milk and meat shortages. Ecuador depends on some $1.8 billion in trade with Colombia.

And militarily, Colombia has become a formidable foe, thanks in large part to $5 billion in aid from Washington since 2000. U.S. military advisers are sprinkled throughout Colombia's military, and Washington could quickly ramp up support if war broke out.

Chavez's critics say his saber-rattling is intended to deflect attention from mounting domestic woes.

anda de parranda en Bogota "Vicente"

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goin_south says on Mar 3, 2008, 17:33:

Thanx elchantajista.
Good Points.
Now...tell us: where the f*ck have you been in hiding???
Top Secret Cajun Intelligence?

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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elchantajista says on Mar 3, 2008, 17:45:

ha ja ha ja good one goin south

anda de parranda en Bogota "Vicente"

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carolinda says on Mar 3, 2008, 18:33:

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Ctg Bound says on Mar 4, 2008, 05:35:

elchantajista,

Yep, "Chavez's critics say his saber-rattling is intended to deflect attention from mounting domestic woes."

The funny part of it is, that it will make his domestic woes worse and there will be even greater shortages and inflation in Ven. due to his present saber rattling.

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