The Crossed Pond

We may assume that any Venezuelan involvement with hostage negotiations in Colombia is on hold, indefinitely. The BBC reports that Colombian Forces killed a top FARC leader, Raul Reyes, in a military incursion into Ecuadorian territory, and Venezuela is reacting:

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is sending thousands of troops and tanks to the border with Colombia, marking a sharp escalation in regional tensions.

Aside from Hugo Chavez’s reaction, this story is is big news in the Colombian insurgent campaign for several reasons:

Reyes was high command; this is the most important FARC member killed by the government forces in a long time. Colombia’s Defense Minster referred to it as “the biggest blow against the FARC in its history”

Ecuador is reacting as expected, withdrawing the Ambassador. The tensions between Colombian and Ecuador have been building in recent years as Colombia’s counter-insurgency has whittled down FARC power and support. The FARC use of the border region with Ecuador has become a major sticking point between the two governments. Essentially, the FARC are using Ecuadorian territory for R&R and replenishment,

Note Hugo Chavez’s choice of words to describe Reyes and the killing: Reyes was a “good revolutionary” his killing a “a cowardly murder, all of it coldly calculated” and “we are not going to let them… come and divide and weaken us.” Us being communist revolutionaries, I assume.

I tend to ignore Chavez’ direction to his Minister of Defense that he is to move ten battalions to the Colombian border immediately, given that Hugo made this proclamation on air during his “Alo, Presidente” show. Chavez is prone to these dramatic flourishes, and they should be taken lightly. Oh he could very well move the troops, but his statement could also be for public consumption.

Regardless, Venezuela will not be negotiating a prisoner exchange or hostage release involving Marc, Keith, and Tom, the any time soon.
Related American Hostage Crisis Posts Here.