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Santos accuses Chavez of interfering in Colombian elections

By Manuel Rueda, Editorial Director

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Former Defense Minister and Presidential candidate Juan Manuel Santos has accused Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez of attempting to “interfere in Colombia´s elections” after the Venezuelan leader announced that Santos posed “a threat to Venezuela and the rest of Colombia´s neighbors.”

Chavez´s accusations followed a Presidential debate in Colombia on Sunday where the candidates were asked if they would approve air raids against Colombian terrorist groups hiding in neighboring countries.

Santos responded ambiguously, saying it would be “irresponsible” for him to respond to that question “with a yes or a no.” 

But Chavez, interpreted the response as a veiled threat to Venezuela, reminding participants at a conference in Caracas that as Defense Minister, Santos had ordered a controversial air raid on a FARC camp on Ecuadorean soil, which killed FARC commander Raul Reyes and a group of 25 guerrillas as well as university students who were visiting the rebel camp.

“During the debate other candidates said they agreed with ordering air raids against Colombian terrorist camps in other countries” responded Santos. “But Chavez is picking on me and this clearly indicates that he wants to interfere in the elections.”

The former Defense Minister is currently leading all polls with approximately 30% of voting intent.  He is followed by Green Party candidate Antanas Mockus who registers second in the polls with around 20% of voting intent. 

Mockus said he would not order military operations against rebel groups hiding in neighboring countries and said he was surprised by Santos ambiguity on the matter and by other candidates´ willingness to do so. 

“Colombia asked its neighbors for forgiveness after the Ecuador bombing” he said after the debate. “It seems shocking to me that a Colombian leader would do the same thing, after the country said it was sorry.”