Venezuela, Colombia Cancel Meeting     03/13 06:18

   

   CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- The governments of Venezuela and Colombia on 
Thursday announced the cancellation of a highly anticipated meeting between 
their presidents planned for the following day at their shared border.

   The talks were to be Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodrguez's first 
official meeting with a Latin American leader since she was sworn in January 
following the U.S. military operation to capture then-President Nicols Maduro. 
Rodrguez and Colombian President Gustavo Petro were expected to address shared 
interests in border security, due to the presence of illegal armed groups 
associated with drug trafficking and the potential for Colombia to import 
Venezuelan natural gas.

   In a joint statement released by Venezuela's Foreign Affairs Ministry, the 
governments attributed the cancellation to "force majeure," which they did not 
explain, and said the meeting would take place at a later time.

   The statement added that Petro maintains his invitation to Rodrguez to hold 
the presidential meeting and indicated that both governments remain committed 
"to strengthening trust, cooperation and bilateral relations."

   Shortly before Thursday's announcement, Petro's office said the Colombian 
leader had a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump in which he wished him 
"success" in his meeting with Rodrguez.