To the Editor:
The March 6 editorial "Take a Deep Breath" cites "meddling and manipulation" in the Colombia-Ecuador clash by President Hugo Chávez, missing the point of why Venezuela is affected.
The Venezuela-Colombia border is three-quarters the length of the United States-Mexico frontier, making it one of the longest common borders in the hemisphere.
Venezuela has already suffered because of the Colombian conflict, receiving tens of thousands of refugees, and has attempted to stop the spread of violence through a humanitarian mediation.
Colombia's deadly raid in Ecuador killed Raúl Reyes, the chief negotiator for both Venezuela and France in hostage talks with the guerrillas.
President Chávez is not, as you write, trying to win popularity by getting involved. Instead, he has put peace in Colombia on the regional agenda, a cause taken up again over the weekend during the Rio group meeting, resulting in reconciliation between the three Andean nations.
Olivia B. Goumbri
Executive Director, Venezuela Information Office
Washington, March 10, 2008
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