The governments of Colombia and Venezuela are working for a solution to the diplomatic crisis between them, said a senior Colombian official Tuesday.

"There is a constant and open dialogue with the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry," Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco told Caracol Radio.

She said the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry had willingness to advance toward an agreement.

The foreign minister ruled out that Colombian President Alvaro Uribe will issue a statement on the most recent criticism made by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"We're going to focus on the diplomatic channels, and there will be no public statement," she said.

Relations between Colombia and Venezuela soured after the controversial arrest of Colombian guerrilla leader Rodrigo Granda in December. Venezuela accused Colombian agents of kidnapping Granda in Caracas, thus violating its territory while Colombia insisted the capture took place within its own borders.

Chavez recalled Venezuela's ambassador from Bogota pending an apology from Colombia.

Granda was one of the international representatives of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the biggest rebel organization of the country.

Source: Xinhua