Venezuela to return ambassador to Colombia
Caracas, Venezuela: President Hugo Chavez said yesterday he's returning his ambassador to Colombia, moving to resolve rising diplomatic tensions after weapons sold to Venezuela were found in a rebel cache. Chavez told Ambassador Gustavo Marquez to return to Bogota 11 days after recalling him over Colombia's statement that the anti-tank weapons came from Venezuela. "Go back to Bogota, Gustavo," Chavez said. "Go to work." Chavez had accused Colombia of acting irresponsibly in its accusation that anti-tank rocket launchers sold to Venezuela by Sweden during the 1980s were obtained by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. Sweden confirmed the weapons were originally sold to Venezuela's military. Tensions between the neighbouring nations have also become increasingly heated over Colombia's efforts negotiate an agreement with Washington, which would grant the US military long-term leases on seven bases. But Chavez assured a group of visiting