Uribe told radio station ABC of Barranquilla that Colombia's foreign ministry will ask President Hugo Chavez's government to explain the arrests, and he urged international human rights groups to monitor the case. ''We request that the human rights of these citizens be fully respected,'' he said. The arrests have escalated long-standing tensions between Chavez's socialist administration and Colombia's U.S.-allied government. Chavez said Tuesday that the eight Colombians were arrested on suspicion of spying more than a week ago. He said they had computers and satellite telephones and were using cameras to take photographs of Venezuelan power plants. Read more here. Semana International delivers news about Colombia in English. Find more in our home.