Western Hemisphere
Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermúdez voiced surprise and disappointment at the results of the meeting of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) that ended on Thursday night in Quito with no consensus about the diplomatic crisis between Colombia and Venezuela.

The Colombian diplomat said that his country is determine to use cooperation to fight against drug trafficking and guerrilla.

Should a Unasur summit of Heads of State be held, Bermúdez conceded that the meeting would take place following the inauguration of Colombian president-elect Juan Manuel Santos, who is taking office on August 7.

Bermúdez denied again that Colombia is preparing an attack against President Hugo Chávez. The Colombian Foreign Minister said that drug traffickers and guerrillas are mutual friends. He strongly ruled out a military attack on Venezuela, said Colombian radio Caracol.

Bermúdez criticized the fact that Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez has decided to break bilateral relations in response to Colombian allegations that leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are sheltered in Venezuela. He also rejected the fact that Venezuelan officials are talking about a peace process for Colombian, and termed such move unacceptable.

Translated by Gerardo Cárdenas