Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday described Colombia's defense minister as an "obstacle" to bilateral relations, asking the military chief to be put "in his place."
Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said earlier that Chavez "is more dangerous" for Colombia than the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the largest rebel group in the country.
Chavez reacted sharply to Santos' remarks, saying: "If he were my minister, he would be dismissed by now."
"I ask my friend Alvaro Uribe to put his defense minister in his place," Chavez said during the 5th PetroCaribe summit held in Maracaibo, about500 km west of the capital city.
In response, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said Sunday that Colombian officials should be prudent in their remarks on Venezuela as the two countries were starting "a new era of relations."
Chavez met with Uribe on Friday to revive ties, which have become increasingly tense since November 2007.
Chavez called on the international community to remove the label of terrorists for the FARC. He also urged the rebels to put down their weapons and release all the hostages they hold.
Colombian officials have long accused Venezuela of harboring several rebel leaders.
Source:Xinhua
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