While the exact meaning of the content of the files on the computer seized by the Colombian government remains debated, Interpol has confirmed that the Colombian government did not tamper with the files, as Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez had charged (via the BBC: Farc rebel link files ‘genuine’):

International police agency Interpol says Colombian officials did not tamper with computers which they claim provide proof Venezuela financed Farc rebels.

The hard drives were purportedly seized after a raid on a rebel camp in Ecuador at the beginning of March.

Although Interpol certified the authenticity of the files, not their contents, correspondents say their tests add credence to Colombian claims.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez vehemently dismissed the allegations.

He said the report was merely a “clown show” that “doesn’t deserve serious comment”.

[...]

Interpol head Ronald Noble said his team had not analysed the information contained on the drives, as Interpol’s remit extended only to certifying the authenticity of the documents, not their contents.

Mr Noble said that deep forensic analyses showed Colombia did not modify, delete or create any files, although it did not always follow internationally accepted methods when handling the computers.

The issue at hand is the exact relationship between the FARC and the government of Ecuador and Venezuela.

The Colombian (and US) governments are convinced that Chávez has been aiding the FARC. Chávez claims that any contacts with the FARC have been for humanitarian reasons linked to negotiations over hostages. Reaching a precise interpretation of the files is not clear-cut, however:

the files use codes and aliases throughout and nowhere is Mr Chavez mentioned by name.

Correction: Boz (who has been paying a great deal of attention to the laptop issue at his site) notes in the comments that Chávez’s name is mentioned in the documents, and therefore the BBC reporter got that wrong.

Update: The Interpol report itself can be found here.