Global General

Colombia not to stop gas supply to Venezuela despite row

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-27 11:50

BOGOTA - Colombia won't stop gas supply to Venezuela for the moment despite simmering tensions between the two countries, Mining and Energy Minister Hernan Martinez said on Monday.

But a final decision on the issue hasn't been made yet, as President Alvaro Uribe has instructed his government to analyze the possible impacts of the issue's further development, he said in an interview with the local radio station "La FM."

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Martinez admitted that cutting gas supply could affect the Venezuelan people, where gas is used to generate electricity.

The minister said he was not sure how long it will take the government to make its final decision, as less than two weeks are left for Uribe's tenure.

Colombia currently supplies Venezuela with some 5.85 million cubic meters of gas per day, which is used by Venezuela to produce electricity to alleviate its power shortage.

Botoga said Monday it will launch a "shock" plan with specific actions to counteract the negative economic impact and unemployment along the border with Venezuela after the two nations broke off diplomatic ties.

Caracas severed ties with Bogota last week after the latter accused it of hosting Colombian guerilla chiefs on its soil, which was vehemently denied by Venezuela.