The Colombian government Wednesday voiced protests over Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's proposal that two Colombian rebel groups no longer be branded as terrorist organizations.
Chavez last week urged the Colombian government to remove the terrorist label on the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) following FARC's release of two women hostages.
Chavez, who served as a mediator for their release, said the two groups were legitimate armies with political goals and should be respected.
"We're a sovereign state and what we're asking of the world is that there be no indulgence for terrorists," government Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo told reporters.
By doing so, Chavez has broken Organization of American States (OAS) and United Nations principles against foreign interference in a country's internal affairs, Restrepo said.
The principles also demand commitment by signatories to fight any groups financed by drug trafficking such as FARC and the ELN, he said.
Source: Xinhua
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