Dialogue with Colombian opposition Senator Piedad Córdoba, a former facilitator seeking a humanitarian swap of hostages for rebels of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC), is difficult because her heart is closer to President Hugo Chávez, Wednesday said in Bogota the Colombian Minister of Defense Juan Manuel Santos.

According to Santos, "it appears that she is more on the Venezuelan side than on the Colombian side."

Further, "her Heart is closer to the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, than to the Colombian government, which makes dialogue with her very difficult," Santos told Bogota-based radio station W.

He added that Córdoba should stand aside, as she "played her cards and thing went wrong," Efe quoted.

Even before President Álvaro Uribe designated him as Defense Minister, Santos' voiced harsh criticisms against President Chávez.