The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Caracas

President Hugo Chavez announced Sunday he was freezing bilateral relations with neighboring Colombia, after Bogota dropped him as a mediator during talks with Colombian leftist rebels on a hostage swap. Chavez said he was putting bilateral ties in a "freezer," after Colombian President Alvaro Uribe dropped him and a dialogue facilitator, Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba, in negotiations toward the swap of leftist rebels for high-profile hostages guerrillas hold. "I declare to the world that I am putting relations with Colombia in the freezer. I do not believe in anyone in the Colombian government," Chavez said in a speech.