Colombia ministers no-show at Unasur summit

A regional Latin American summit aimed in part at calming tensions between Colombia and Venezuela opened here Friday, but Bogota opted to stay away, a move Caracas termed a "huge mistake."

Defense and foreign ministers from Unasur's member nations were welcomed as the summit opened Friday morning by Ecuador's Foreign Minister Fander Falconi.

But noticeably absent from the Union of South American Nations meeting were Colombia's Defense Minister Gabriel Silva and Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez,

The summit is expected to address growing bilateral spats in the region, including tensions between Peru and Chile over military espionage reportedly sponsored by Santiago and a months-long, escalating row between Bogota and Caracas.

Tensions between the two capitals, raised by a US deal with Bogota allowing US forces to run anti-drug operations from Colombian bases, has resulted in the severing of diplomatic ties and even talk of war between the neighbors.

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro told reporters that Colombia's "absence is inexplicable, a huge mistake and an act of contempt towards Unasur."

On Thursday evening, Colombia's foreign minister said "the recent escalation in threats against the Colombian government" means "it would be impossible to hold respectful discussions during the meeting."

He said Bogota would dispatch a "technical" delegation only, without the inclusion of ministers.

Venezuela suspended diplomatic relations with Colombia on July 28 in response to the US-Colombian bases deal.

The agreement, signed on October 30, involves seven Colombian bases and sparked consternation throughout the region, particularly irking Caracas.

Venezuela shares a 2,000-kilometer (1,250-mile) border with Colombia and has denounced the deal, saying it poses a military threat to the sovereignty of Latin American countries.

The tension between Colombia and Venezuela has grown so heated that both sides have talked of war.

Early this month, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called on his countrymen to "prepare for war" and Colombia's defense minister said Friday that "for the first time in decades, the defense ministry must study how to prepare to face a foreign threat."

In addition to harsh rhetoric, the tensions have also produced border confrontations, and Venezuela, which is Colombia's second biggest market, has drastically reduced its imports from its neighbor.

Both the US-Colombian deal and the tensions it has caused between Caracas and Bogota have raised concerns throughout the region.

Unasur ministers are expected to seek security and confidence-building measures that can reassure them and Caracas that the US deal will not threaten their sovereignty.

Among the proposals being considered is a Peruvian suggestion for a "regional non-aggression pact."