by Pat Rapacchiano

Created on: July 10, 2008   Last Updated: July 14, 2008

The Conflicts along Columbia's border with Venezuela and Ecuador has been increasing over the years. Ecuador has been described as being the land of "Peace" and "Tranquility" in comparison with Columbia. It seems tensions can be attributed to the fact that Columbian Forces, the Government, and drug traffickers are all struggling for control. Drug smuggling continues to be a major dilemma.

It appears that the Ecuadorian government holds a firm position of neutrality. The government refuses to take sides because of the consequences of direct participation would connect Ecuador with the ongoing Columbian crisis. Even if the goverment of Ecuador was happy with Columbia's military action it would never be spoken about publicly. Ecuador has always remained neutral about international conflicts and will not permit military operations inside its territory.

Columbian President Alvaro Uribe is threatening to bring criminal action against Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela. Mr. Chavez is accused of sponsoring Columbian Farc rebels, this is a charge that has been denied by Venezuela over and over again. The threat of criminal action has intensified the tensions.

Latin America is divided and has a long history of border disputes. These disputes appear to be more sensitive in Ecuador. Ecuador has a history of longstanding border disputes dating back to the Inca times. Ecuador has stated that their country maintains border control, 47 FARC camps have recently been dismantled.

Columbian officials have long complained that Ecuador's military does not control its sparsely populated border which is allowing rebels to take refuge. The leftist FARC has been fighting Columbias government for over four decades and funds itself mainly through Cocaine trade, and Kidnapping. These issues continue to contribute to the tension and unrest along the Columbian border.

Columbia's military stated that troops recently killed Raul Reyes, the leader of Marxist (FARC) rebels. This attack also included air strikes and fighting with rebels across the frontier. The violent actions have intensfied tensions and the desire to gain control and dominance. Columbia had no immediate reaction to Venezuela's military decisions. Columbia has stated that they did not violate any sovereignty, they acted only in defense. The FARC said in a statement the killing of one of it's leaders who was recently involved with hostage talks should in no way affect moves to free captives, according to the government of Venezuela.

The Venezuelan called the death of Reyes "the Cowardly Assination of a Good Revolutionary".
Border disputes are not uncommon. Canada and America still have unresolved disputes over Alaska Panhandle and the islands near Maine/New brunswick border. Denmark and Canada still argue who has sovereignty over Greenland. Putin recently reclaimed the North Pole and much of Canada's Artic region as Russian soil.

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