The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday rejected Colombian officials' remarks on Venezuela and declared that authorities are waiting for a response that "restores" respect and high-level ties between the two nations.

In a communiqué, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied to Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Fernando Araújo's remarks. The document repudiated Araújo's comments and branded his declarations as "inconvenient," as they come from a fraternal country that has superb relations with Venezuela.

"We deem it inconvenient that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of a fraternal country with which we have superb relations declares, in a light manner, from Washington about issues related to President Hugo Chávez, thus making room for these remarks to be used against our country," the communiqué said.

In this connection, the Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs wondered whether the behavior of the Colombian diplomat could be considered as an "official policy" of President Álvaro Uribe's Government.
 
The document added that Venezuela is deeply concerned about the possibility that Araújo "uses his tour of the United States to make statements against Venezuela," particularly even though "Venezuela and our Government have made, are making and will continue to make efforts to support the peace process Uribe is advancing with Colombian rebel forces."

Venezuela also rejected Colombian Minister of the Interior Carlos Holguín's comments in an interview with Bogotá-based newspaper El Tiempo where he "deliberately attacks" Venezuelan democracy.