Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says a dispute with Colombia regarding the capture of a Colombian leftist rebel leader on Venezuelan soil is - quote - "practically over."
President Chavez also said Tuesday he expects a meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Thursday in Caracas to be - in his words - "very fruitful." Venezuela's ambassador to Colombia returned to Bogota Monday after being recalled during the dispute. Mr. Chavez also says he will accept the new Colombian ambassador's credentials after months of delays.
Last week, Colombia announced the end of the dispute over the seizure of Rodrigo Granda, a member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. Colombia said it paid bounty hunters to capture Mr. Granda in Caracas in December. Venezuela accused Colombia of violating its sovereignty in what it says was a kidnapping.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.