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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

(Newser) – 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.

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 Colombia, after Colombian security...
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...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Colombia's Presidency police chief Gen. Oscar Naranjo shows documents recovered from the computer of the senior commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC. According to Naranjo some files reveal that the guerillas sent money to Hugo Chavez when he was a jailed coup...
In this photo released by Colombia's Presidency police chief Gen. Oscar Naranjo shows documents recovered from the computer of the senior commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC....   (Associated Press)
Weapons and equipment found by Ecuadorian Army soldiers Sunday, March 2, 2008,  in Angostura, Ecuador, near the border with Colombia, are seen at the site where Colombian security forces killed Saturday 17 leftist rebels including Luis Edgar Devia, known as Raul Reyes, a top commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces...
Weapons and equipment found by Ecuadorian Army soldiers Sunday, March 2, 2008, in Angostura, Ecuador, near the border with Colombia, are seen at the site where Colombian security forces killed Saturday...   (Associated Press)
Ecuadorian soldiers look at weapons and equipment found Sunday, March 2, 2008,  in Angostura, Ecuador, near the border with Colombia, were Colombian security forces killed Saturday 17 leftist rebels including Luis Edgar Devia, known as Raul Reyes, a top commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC. (AP Photo/Diego...
Ecuadorian soldiers look at weapons and equipment found Sunday, March 2, 2008, in Angostura, Ecuador, near the border with Colombia, were Colombian security forces killed Saturday 17 leftist rebels including...   (Associated Press)
A helicopter raises as Ecuadorean soldiers cover the bodies of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, rebels in Angostura, Ecuador, 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 Colombia, after Colombian security forces...
A helicopter raises as Ecuadorean soldiers cover the bodies of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, rebels in Angostura, Ecuador, Monday, March 3, 2008. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa ordered...   (Associated Press)
An Ecuadorean  police forensic team examine pistols that were found at a camp of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, where Colombian forces killed Saturday a senior rebel leader and 16 other guerrillas. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa ordered the expulsion of Colombia's ambassador in Ecuador,  the mobilization of...
An Ecuadorean police forensic team examine pistols that were found at a camp of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, where Colombian forces killed Saturday a senior rebel leader and 16...   (Associated Press)
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