OAS 'rejects' Colombia attack

CARACAS, Venezuela, March 18 (UPI) -- The Organization of American states announced Tuesday that it "rejects" Colombia's attack on a leftist rebel camp inside Ecuador.

The decision was the product of hours of debate among OAS foreign ministers, many of whom condemned the violation of Ecuador's sovereignty, El Universal reported online. Venezuela was in the forefront of those speaking out against the Colombian incursion.

An OAS report Monday called the Colombian raid a "violation of the sovereignty" of Ecuador. OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza noted the attack was conducted without first notifying officials in Quito.

Colombia's attack triggered a political tempest this month, prompting Ecuador and Venezuela to temporarily sever diplomatic ties with Bogota and send military forces to their respective borders with Colombia.

The hostilities were diffused a week later at a regional summit in the Dominican Republic.