Colombia: FARC Was After Uranium

Ecuador cuts ties, says slain rebel leader was key in hostage deal
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 4, 2008 11:35 AM CST
Colombia: FARC Was After Uranium
Ecuadorean soldiers are seen aboard a helicopter during a flight from Lago Agrio to Angostura, in Ecuador, near the border with Colombia, Monday, March 3, 2008. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa ordered Sunday the expulsion of Colombia's ambassador to Ecuador and mobilized troops to the border with...   (Associated Press)

Colombia has accused Ecuador and Venezuela of cooperating with FARC guerrillas who were trying to buy uranium, the BBC reports, even as Ecuador cut ties with Colombia and Venezuela expelled its diplomats. “FARC is taking big steps in the world of terrorism to become a global aggressor,” said Colombia’s top cop, citing documents found during Saturday’s raid that detailed negotiations for 110 pounds of uranium.

“We are accustomed to the lies of the Colombian government,” scoffed Venezuela's vice president. The president of Ecuador condemned Saturday's raid, which killed rebel leader Raul Reyes. Rafael Correa said Reyes had held the lead in “very advanced” talks to release ex-presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who has been a hostage since 2002. (More Raul Reyes stories.)

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