"Foro", originally included Hugo Chavez, Daniel Ortega, the Sandinista leader and current President of Nicaragua, as well as leaders from guerilla movements such as the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) and others.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Chavez and the Iranian connection

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega described political opponents of Chavez as "vultures" who were hoping for the Venezuelan president's death and aiming to destabilize the country -- an accusation many speakers made at Thursday's rally.

CNN: SHARE THIS

In another related development, Chavez ally, Nicaraguan President, Daniel Ortega, last week accused Colombian President Alvaro Uribe of effectively condemning to death a well-known hostage held by Colombian leftist rebels by suspending talks for her release.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The Colombian hostage crisis