BOGOTÁ, Colombia -- Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez's call to remove Colombia's guerrilla groups from lists of foreign terrorist organizations has been met with widespread condemnation by the Colombian government and has exacerbated the existing diplomatic crisis between the two neighboring nations. Last week, Colombia rejoiced following the much-anticipated release of two female hostages. But celebrations were quickly overshadowed by Chávez's controversial declaration that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the smaller National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group are not terrorists but rather "real armies who occupy a space in Colombia." "FARC and the ELN are insurgent forces who have a political and Bolivarian project which is respected in Venezuela," said Chávez while addressing Venezuela's assembly last week.
Colombia-Venezuela Rift Grows as Chávez Appears to Confirm Support for FARC
