The Venezuelan state confirms its intention to maintain and strengthen good relations with the sister Republic of Colombia, President Hugo Chávez said Tuesday at a cabinet meeting at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas.

“We want to maintain that friendship and strengthen it, and set an example,” Chávez said. “Nothing will derail us; from our side, nothing, and I am sure that President Juan Manuel Santos will stay firm over there.”

The president said that, despite attempts by some right-wing sectors in Venezuela to destabilize and create conflict between the two nations, “We continue in this direction, strengthening the integration of our Americas.”

Chávez said that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces have been deployed in all the areas indicated by the Colombian military as possible locations for guerrilla camps or irregular groups. “Let’s continue strengthening sovereignty, in every corner of our territory,” he said.

YVKE Mundial / Press – Venezuelan Embassy to the U.S. / May 30, 2012