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Colombia rejected Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's proposal that the two countries resume diplomatic relations on Thursday, amid a dispute over a fugitive former Colombian congresswoman who was captured in Venezuela.
Maduro cut diplomatic relations with neighboring Colombia last February after Colombian President Ivan Duque helped Venezuelan opposition politicians.
As Colombia seeks the extradition of former Colombian congresswoman Aida Merlano, Maduro proposed the resumption of consular relations between the countries on Wednesday.
Duque told journalists on Thursday that they see little possibility of providing consular and other services in Venezuela.
Maduro and officials in his government have said Merlano had told them stories of corruption among Colombia's political class, hinting they could reveal them.
Merlano, a former lawmaker who was imprisoned in Colombia for buying votes in 2018, was detained this week in Venezuela's Zulia state, which borders Colombia, four months after she escaped from custody. She was charged by a Venezuelan court with identity theft, using fake documents and conspiring to commit crimes.
"Duque doesn't want the truth to come out... he is going to get a surprise in the next few days," Maduro said on state television on Thursday.
Colombia asked Juan Guaido to secure Merlano's extradition this week. The opposition leader committed to doing so, but he has no control over Venezuela's police or judiciary.
"They shouldn't mock the laws and institutions that would see Aida Merlano deported, so that she can face the full weight of Colombian law," Duque said.
(REUTERS)
