5-31-08, 8:58 am

Quito, May 30 (Prensa Latina) The raid carried out by alleged Colombian paramilitaries on a bordering Ecuadorian locality revives Friday the diplomatic crisis between both countries, which have severed diplomatic relations since March.

The nation's Foreign Minister Maria Isabel Salvador said Thursday night that the country is preparing charges against Colombia for the entry of an armed group from that territory to the locality of San Martin, in Barranca Bermeja, province of Sucumbios, and the kidnapping of three refugees.

'We will send our demand through the corresponding channels, once we have all information from investigations carried out by the Armed Forces and the Police,' she pointed out.

In addition of the minister, Deputy Defense Minister Miguel Carvajal alerted that although they are not official groups, Bogota is also responsible for the action.

After the accusation, new troops were sent to San Martin to step up security, stated Carvajal.

According to inhabitants from that locality, about 30 camouflaged soldiers entered the town Monday night and after intimidating and threatening people, they captured three Colombian refugees, generating panic among inhabitants.

Security Minister Gustavo Larrea said this new incident evidences that the Colombian government does not control or protect the border with Ecuador.

Although they were paramilitary groups, the neighboring country violated once more Ecuador's sovereignty, he noted.

This military raid takes place amid a crisis between Quito and Bogota due to the Colombian bombing on March 1 of a secret camp of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in this territory, considered a deliberate transgression of this country's sovereignty.

From Prensa Latina