THE TRAUMA OF THE BREACH

BREAK

Rafael Nieto Loaiza

They say that Santos had planned a trip of a Chancellor to Venezuela, just under that made Quito, that Chavez came to his possession. Uribe said that bothered him, because he foresaw that his critics would argue that the bad relationship with Lieutenant Colonel next door was a result of personal antipathy or difference in styles between the two rulers. They also say he was concerned that the international community believe that the allegations permanent collaboration with the FARC and ELN were no fireworks but the Colombian government. And, as a result of Uribe understood as an unexpected twist in the position of Santos against Venezuela, decided that it was essential before going public airing of the evidence that Colombia has arsenal against Chavez, so that no one called to deception Relations between the dictator and Chick Colombian guerrillas. They also say that Uribe predicted that in Miraflores, caught in public and it was impossible to respond to information in Colombia, react to shouts and slaps.

Did you know that Lieutenant Colonel Uribe break relations? If it was not sure, sure looked the scenario that in the absence of arguments to prove his innocence, Chavez would go for the easy position of the break. And assessed that the public and the economy had already assumed the cost. That no mistake: in Colombia no one was surprised with the decision of Caracas. There was not even bigger worries. Chavez's decision to block trade with Colombia has been a loss of half a million jobs and about one percentage point of GDP. Exports fell nearly $ 6,000 billion. Venezuela was our second market, some products, especially industrial and manufactured goods, there were his only customer. A huge price for our economy, of course, but that has already been made. So the Minister of Foreign Trade said that Chavez could not blackmail. And he's right: despite the circumstances of the crisis with Venezuela, the Colombian economy grew by 4.5% this semester. Trauma of the break will be less.

"Jesus Santrich" and "Ivan Marquez". In between, Narciso Isa Conde, honorary president of the Continental Bolivarian Movement in the FARC camp in Sorotaima, Venezuela

But in the border areas will suffer greatly when Chavez decided to restrict the passage. Few have been so vivid borders on the continent and the Colombian Venezuelan. Retail trade and transit ties populations on both sides will be greatly affected. If the situation continues, irreparable damage will be generated for a couple of generations.

Thus, the substantive question is whether the deepening of the crisis will resolve the substantive issue: the complicity of Chavez with Colombian guerrillas, logistical and political support to terrorism, and the use of Venezuelan territory as its rear area. It is the vital issue and is certainly above other considerations, the priority of Uribe, who made security the centerpiece of all their efforts. Public accusations against Chavez, not misleading to call ourselves, are consistent with their positions in government.

So I was not surprised that the speech of Ambassador to the OAS be translated into deeds. Again and again, Hoyos spoke of 'prosecution' of evidence. Maybe I'm wrong, but everything suggests that Uribe will not leave the presidency without a formal complaint to Lieutenant Colonel in international courts.

July 25, 2010