Presidents of Venezuela, Colombia to meet over diplomatic crisis

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that his meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe will discuss the diplomatic crisis between the two countries to seek a final resolution.

The two presidents will meet on Thursday in Venezuela to talk over the diplomatic rift aroused by the capture of a Colombian rebel leader.

"The solution, or the turning of the page on the episode, will depend on this meeting, " Chavez said.

Bilateral relations soured after the alleged arrest of Rodrigo Granda, foreign relations chief of Colombia's rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed forces of Colombia, in December by Colombian law-enforcement personnel.

Venezuela accused Colombia of abducting Granda on the Venezuelan soil, while Colombia insisted the capture took place within its borders.

Chavez recalled Venezuela's ambassador from Bogota and froze diplomatic and commercial relations with Colombia and demanded a public apology from Colombia.

After six weeks of standoff, the two governments announced on Friday that they had patched up their relationship.

Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco said in an interview with daily El Tiempo published on Sunday that "this is a case similar to two brothers having a fight, they hurt each other but once they take steps they are quickly able to overcome the problem".

Source: Xinhua