SANTIAGO, (Reuters) – Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet yesterday condemned as haughty and offensive comments by Peru’s leader Alan Garcia over a spy scandal that has stirred century-old tensions between the neighbours.
Garcia on Monday demanded a detailed explanation from Chile after Peru detained one of its own air force officers on suspicion of treason for allegedly spying for Chile.
Chile’s government has denied any involvement, and Garcia on Monday stopped short of suggesting the spat would hurt bilateral trade worth more than $3 billion a year.
“The expressions we heard yesterday, which I would call offensive and haughty, do not contribute to the integration and cooperation that neighbours should enjoy,” Bachelet said in remarks at the opening of an air traffic control facility in Santiago.