FARC calls for dialogue to resolve Venezuela-Colombia border tension

The insurgent Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Friday called for a dialogue to resolve the current border tensions between Colombia and Venezuela.

"It is best to seek, through constructive and sincere dialogue, the normalization of the situation along the border," said rebel spokesman Jesus Santrich, reading a statement shortly before the start of another round of negotiations between the FARC and the government of President Juan Manuel Santos.

The Venezuelan government ordered last week the temporary closure of two major border crossings with Colombia after a clash with smugglers resulted in serious injury to Venezuelan soldiers.

"As brotherly peoples, we must unite by closing off chances for warmongering...above all, by those who seek, through economic means and other conspiracies to destabilize the legitimate government of President Nicolas Maduro," Santrich said.

The spokesman called for "the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to be respected," adding that Venezuela is and will remain essential for peace in Colombia.

Paramilitary activities "cannot destroy the bonds of harmony that have historically made Colombia and Venezuela members of the same family," said the statement.

The two countries share a land border of over 2,200 kilometers that has long facilitated paramilitary activities, smuggling, and arms trafficking.

Venezuela, along with Chile, acts as an observer to the peace talks, which have been held since November 2012 in Havana between the FARC and the Colombian government.

Source: XINHUA