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.