Colombia, Switzerland at odds over mediator

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A diplomatic dispute has broken out between Colombia and Switzerland over the role of a Swiss mediator involved in hostage-release talks with leftist rebels, report the L.A. Times’ Patrick J. McDonnell and Chris Kraul.

Colombia cut off the longtime European mediation effort after the July 2 rescue of former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages, including three U.S. contractors.

Colombian officials have suggested that the Swiss mediator, Jean-Pierre Gontard, exceeded his authority and became a money courier for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

Read more about the dispute between Colombia and Switzerland here.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City