Santos: Problematic transition in Venezuela could be bad for the region

As far as Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is concerned, a "problematic" transition in Venezuela could disturb the Latin American region.

"If there is an easy transition in Venezuela, as it were, and a transition with no disturbance whatsoever, unable to create any problems at all inside Venezuela, then all of us (in the region) would be alike; there would be no repercussion on the region," he reasoned.

"It would be terrible though if the transition were not smooth, sort of problematic; that would create troubles in the region," the Colombian leader underscored.

Queried into the medical status of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, after a surgery last week in Cuba as part of his cancer treatment, Santos replied, "The truth is that I lack accurate information."

"I understand that he is complicated... He would not have bid farewell in this way had he not been facing troubles, but I do not know for certain about his health status nowadays, neither does anybody."

The Colombian leader added that he has kept in touch with Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolás Maduro, but gave no further details.