Venezuela accuses Colombia of encouraging coca, marijuana cultivation

​​​​​​​By Sinan Dogan and Gizem Nisa Cebi

BOGOTA/ISTANBUL (AA) - Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello accused the Colombian government on Friday of promoting the cultivation of coca and marijuana.

Cabello claimed that the Colombian government has turned the cultivation of the crops into an industry.

"The governments in Colombia, including the current one, have all encouraged the cultivation of coca leaves and marijuana," Cabello said on a radio program in Caracas,

He also argued that Colombia's peace process cannot succeed without the support of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and current President Nicolas Maduro.

"Our goal is to help our neighbor Colombia. But instead of interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs, they should focus on drug trafficking, crime, and contract killings within their own borders," Cabello stated. "We’re hearing statements that merely echo US rhetoric."

Maduro also accused Colombia on May 1 of failing to cooperate with Venezuela in combating drug trafficking, violence and armed groups along their shared border.