Associated Press
Miami Herald
May 23, 2008
CARACAS -- A Venezuelan politician is condemning a Colombian investigation into his alleged ties to leftist guerrillas.
Amilcar Figueroa, a Venezuelan member of the Latin American Parliament, calls the probe a ``big lie, accusing Colombia's U.S.-aligned government of dragging Venezuela into its long-running civil conflict.
Figueroa is an ally of President Hugo Chávez.
Figueroa reacted late Thursday night after Colombia's chief prosecutor began investigating alleged links Colombian rebels and politicians, journalists and foreigners. Colombian officials have privately called Figueroa a FARC operative.
