Suspicions that the Venezuelan government supports the rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Fores (FARC) are not a new thing. But now, claims have emerged that, besides Hugo Chávez government's passivity before the leftwing group's moves -particularly regarding drug-traffic to Europe- the insurgents and the Venezuelan Armed Force have cemented an alliance allowing the former to have access to weapons and enjoy inmunity in the Venezuelan side of Arauca River.

The statements came in a report entitled "The drug shelter of the FARC," published last Sunday by Spanish daily newspaper El País, which quoted four desserters of the FARC and several sources with Colombian intelligence sources, as well as a number of European diplomats.

"The Colombian Army does not trespass the border, and the guerrilla groups have non-agression pact with the Venezuelan military. The Venezuelan Government lets the FARC operate at large because they share the Bolivarian ideas and because the FARC pay them," said Rafael, a former rebel, who told British reporter John Carlin -the author of the report- he was a member of the leftwing organization for 10 years.

The report claimed that 30 percent of the 600 tons of drugs the FARC distribute on a daily basis pass through Venezuela thanks to the indifference of the Venezuelan State security and defense bodies.

Rafael said he worked in one of the four camps the FARC operate in Venezuela, adding that in such premises rebels are trained and some hostages are held, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who is allegedly near Elorza town (Venezuelan state of Apure) under the custody of Germán Briceño Suárez, also known as Grannobles, a member of the FARC High Command.