Caracas, January 27 (RHC-teleSUR) -- The Venezuelan government issued a statement Tuesday condemning remarks by former Colombian President Andres Pastrana and support for these remarks by the current Colombian foreign minister, warning it could set back bilateral relations.

According to the statement, the Venezuelan government rejects comments that Pastrana made about Leopoldo Lopez, a right-wing politician charged with inciting violence in protests last year in which 43 people were killed.

Venezuela notes that Lopez "openly committed serious crimes against human rights and publicly calls for the overthrow of the legitimate Venezuelan government.”

The Venezuelan statement also addressed remarks supporting Pastrana by the Colombian foreign minister. “We regret that the Colombian Foreign Ministry endorses positions against Venezuelan democracy and the constitutional government of President Nicolas Maduro, which constitutes a dangerous setback in bilateral relations.”