Top US diplomat says Colombian rebels have sought refuge in Venezuela

A top U.S. diplomat says «there's no doubt» Colombian rebels have sought refuge in Venezuela. John Negroponte was responding to a reporter's question Monday at a meeting of the hemisphere's foreign ministers in Medellin, Colombia. Negroponte is the No. 2 official in the U.S. State Department. Venezuela's government denies giving refuge to the revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. Negroponte's language is mild compared to recent statements by U.S. President George W. Bush accusing Venezuela of collaborating with and giving sanctuary to the FARC. Negroponte also says it is up to Colombians to decide whether President Alvaro Uribe should be able to run for a third consecutive term.