SPAIN/VENEZUELA: Chavez Refuses To Extradite Alleged Top Basque/ETA Militant.

C.S.MONITOR/

           Relations are strained between Spain and Hugo Chavez. Chavez refuses to extradite Arturo Cubillas, Latin America's alleged top Basque separatist, because of local laws. A Spaniard, Mr. Cubillas also became a naturalized citizen of Venezuela in 1993.

         “This is a critical moment, and this could put Chávez in the eye of the hurricane in terms of international terrorism. Venezuela could be considered a refuge and nest of international terrorists and that is serious,” says think tanker Vicente Palacio. “The Spanish government will try to solve this discreetly if Venezuela is more helpful. But Chávez has made this into a state affair.”

VENEZUELA: Spain Furious Over Alleged Chavez/ ETA Terrorist Link .

GUARDIAN.UK/   A Spanish judge has accused President Hugo Chávez's government of involvement with the Basque terrorist group ETA. Magistrate Eloy Velasco found that the Chávez government acted as an intermediary between ETA and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) guerrilla group. Velasco issued international arrest warrants for 6 alleged ETA members and 7 Colombians believed to be members of Farc. Spain's Prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero called for an immediate explanation from Venezuela.

Spain's Royals Vacation In Majorca After Deadly Bombing.

From AFP.