Colombia,Venezuela address appointment of defense minister

Any eventual worry or concern of the government of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on the appointment of General Henry Rangel Silva "will not be discussed in public. We are having direct talks with the Venezuelan government," said Colombian Foreign Minister María Ángela Holguín

"We are paying attention to the issue," said Foreign Minister María Ángela Holguín (Handout photo)

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EL UNIVERSAL

Wednesday January 18, 2012 03:32 PM

Colombian Foreign Minister María Ángela Holguín said Wednesday that she talked with her Venezuelan counterpart Nicolás Maduro about several issues such as the appointment of the new Venezuelan defense minister. However, she warned that her government will not make public comments on that issue.

The appointment of General-in-Chief Henry Rangel Silva has drawn criticism from Colombian and US media, which have ensured that Venezuela's top military officer has been in contact for years with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), AP reported.

Any eventual worry or concern of the government of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on the appointment of General Rangel Silva "will not be discussed in public. We are having direct talks with the Venezuelan government," Holguín said in an interview with Colombian radio station La W.

"Colombians should rest assured. We are paying attention to the issue," said the Colombian foreign minister.

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