Colombia still expects Caracas to back talks with rebels

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos has said he is optimistic that Venezuela would continue to support the peace talks with Marxist FARC guerrillas should ailing President Hugo Chavez die and be succeeded by Vice President Nicolas Maduro.

Chavez has played a key role in pushing the talks between Colombia and the FARC, as they try to end almost 50 years of war.

"I'm optimistic, if Maduro is the person that replaces Chavez, of continued Venezuelan support," Santos said on a debate show on Caracol Radio late on Monday.


Source: Reuters