Colombian paramilitaries to be tried in Venezuela

The Venezuelan Defense Ministry said Thursday that the Colombian paramilitaries arrested in Venezuela will be brought to trial.

Defense Minister Gen. Jorge Garcia Carneiro told the official VTV channel that the detainees could face sentences ranging from 20 to 30 years in prison. But he did not say what charges will be brought against them.

So far, Venezuelan authorities have arrested 114 Colombian paramilitaries, who belonged to a group of 135 people in a rural area in Caracas. They were accused by Venezuelan President Chavez of being involved in a plot designed by the opposition to oust him.

"We will have no considerations for terrorists and assassins," said the minister.

The government has also accused three officials of the NationalArmed Forces of having links with those Colombians, added Carneiro.

Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco said Monday she woulddiscuss the issue with her Venezuelan counterpart Jesus Perez at an extraordinary meeting Friday in Caracas, capital of Venezuela.

Source: Xinhua