Ecuador Columbia Venezuela FARC Crisis

Guide Note:March 2, 2008: Ecuador and Venezuela boosted military deployment on their Colombian borders after Columbian troops crossed the border into Ecuador as part of it's anti-FARC action. The Columbian incursion resulted in the death of Raul Reyes, second-in-command within FARC - Columbia's largest anti-government group. Hugo Chavez sent troops, tanks and fighter aircraft to the Colombian border and closed the Venezuelan embassy in Bogota. Rafael Correa, president of Ecuador, moved troops to its own border with Colombia and recalled the Ecuadorian ambassador from Bogota. Chavez and Uribe have been on bad terms since Uribe called a halt to Chavez's mediatory role in hostage negotiations with FARC in November 2007. Chavez was acting as a mediator between FARC and the Colombian government, aiming to gain the release of hundreds of hostages. Uribe claimed Chavez had made direct contact with a Colombian general, thus violating their agreement.

Fast Facts:

1. Chavez: "We don't want a war, but we are not going to allow them to violate our territorial sovereignty"
2. March 1, 2007: Raul Reyes killed with 16 other militants
3. FARC base was 1 mile into Ecuador territory
4. Columbia statement: "Colombia has not violated any sovereignty, only acted in accordance with the principal of legitimate defence"