U.S. Rejects Venezuela Charges of Capture

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050125/API/501250766

"Article published Jan 25, 2005
U.S. Rejects Venezuela Charges of Capture

By GEORGE GEDDA
Associated Press Writer

The State Department on Monday night denied Venezuelan allegations that the United States had a role in the capture of a Colombian leftist rebel leader who was using Venezuela as a base of operations.

The department demanded an explanation from Venezuela as to why it allowed Rodrigo Granda, a foreign affairs adviser to Colombia's largest guerrilla group, "to freely move within its territory and even obtain a Venezuelan passport."

Granda was seized on a Caracas street in December by Venezuelan police who were acting on behalf of Colombian authorities and apparently without the authorization of their superiors.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Colombia bribed the Venezuelan security officers. He said the United States also was involved."