"The Colombian-Venezuelan clash hinders any attempt at reinforcing South America. Therefore, we ask the Presidents of both nations: try to solve the problem." This was the explanation provided by Brazilian Secretary of International Affairs Marco Aurelio García to the Colombian daily El Tiempo on the decision made by Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva to act as a mediator.

García arrived last Saturday 22nd in Caracas to meet with the Venezuelan President and provide "some potential solutions considered by President Lula to overcome this situation." Early that week, the Brazilian envoi held a similar meeting with Colombian President Álvaro Uribe in the Amazonian city of Leticia. "He was very receptive," García noted.

In his view, "we cannot say that Brazil is exactly acting as 'mediator', because the Colombian and Venezuelan governments are in regular communication."

"Facilitator" would be the accurate term, explained the historian and a friend of President Lula for over 30 years.

García took part in the telephone conversation held last Thursday 20th made by the Brazilian President to his Venezuelan counterpart.

"We think that the conflict will be solved pretty soon, as shown by President Chávez eagerness to solve this problem as soon as possible," the official said.