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Chavez slams Colombia 'incursion' Chavez slams Colombia 'incursion'
(about 6 hours later)
The Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, has accused Colombia of carrying out a military incursion into Venezuela. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has accused Colombia of carrying out a military incursion into Venezuela.
Mr Chavez said Colombian soldiers had recently been seen crossing the Orinoco river, which forms part of the border, and entering Venezuelan territory.Mr Chavez said Colombian soldiers had recently been seen crossing the Orinoco river, which forms part of the border, and entering Venezuelan territory.
He said the alleged incursion was a "provocation" by Colombia's government. He said the incursion - which Colombia denies happened - was a "provocation".
The accusations came shortly before a summit of South American leaders is due to discuss a Colombian proposal to allow US troops access to its bases. Mr Chavez was speaking ahead of a summit of South American leaders which is set to discuss Colombia's plans to allow US troops access to its bases.
Mr Chavez has been embroiled in a diplomatic row with his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, ever since news of the plan emerged.Mr Chavez has been embroiled in a diplomatic row with his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, ever since news of the plan emerged.
'Growing threat''Growing threat'
During his weekly TV show on Sunday, President Chavez ordered his troops to get on a war footing along the border with Colombia. During his weekly TV show on Sunday, President Chavez ordered his troops on to a war footing along the border with Colombia.
The Yankees have started to command Colombian military forces Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Colombia's rocky regional relations Uribe tours region over US pactThe Yankees have started to command Colombian military forces Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Colombia's rocky regional relations Uribe tours region over US pact
"The threat against us is growing," he said. "I call on the people and the armed forces - let's go, ready for combat!""The threat against us is growing," he said. "I call on the people and the armed forces - let's go, ready for combat!"
He said Colombian soldiers had "crossed the Orinoco River in a boat and entered Venezuelan territory" and that when Venezuelan troops arrived, they had gone. He said Colombian soldiers had "crossed the Orinoco river in a boat and entered Venezuelan territory", but when Venezuelan troops arrived, they had gone.
"This is a provocation by the government of Uribe," he said. "The Yankees have started to command Colombian military forces.""This is a provocation by the government of Uribe," he said. "The Yankees have started to command Colombian military forces."
Venezuela's foreign ministry would file a formal complaint, he added, warning that its military would "respond if there's an attack".Venezuela's foreign ministry would file a formal complaint, he added, warning that its military would "respond if there's an attack".
Mr Chavez said he would use this week's summit of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) in Ecuador, to urge his allies in the region to pressure President Uribe to reconsider plans to increase the US military presence. The Colombian foreign ministry said it had been in contact with its military commanders in the border area, who said there had been no such incursion.
Mr Chavez said he would use this week's summit of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) in Ecuador to urge his allies in the region to press President Uribe to reconsider plans to increase the US military presence.
He has expressed concern that the seven Colombian bases could become a new Guantanamo, or an enclave of US influence, like Israel.
So far, only Bolivia and Ecuador have condemned the plan, while other countries like Chile and Brazil have said they will respect whatever decision Colombia takes.So far, only Bolivia and Ecuador have condemned the plan, while other countries like Chile and Brazil have said they will respect whatever decision Colombia takes.
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, who has already announced he would not be renewing the lease of the current US base in Ecuador, said he was concerned about an increase in military activity across the border his country shares with Colombia. Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, who declined to renew the US lease of the Manta air base in Ecuador, said he was concerned about an increase in military activity across the border his country shares with Colombia.
Mr Correa broke off relations with Colombia in March last year when Colombian troops hunting down members of the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) killed 19 of them in Ecuadorian territory. Mr Correa broke off relations with Colombia in March last year when Colombian troops hunting down members of the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) killed 19 of them in Ecuadorean territory.
"We cannot ignore this threat," Mr Chavez said. Mr Uribe has said the US military presence will help Colombia in the fight against drugs trafficking and left-wing rebel groups.
The Venezuelan leader has said he is concerned that the seven Colombian bases could become a new Guantanamo, or an enclave of US influence, like Israel. He also said there would be no more than 1,400 troops and civilian contractors based there, the maximum permitted under the current military accord between Colombia and the US.
Mr Uribe has said the increased US military presence will help Colombia in the fight against drugs trafficking and left-wing rebel groups. He also says US law would only permit a maximum of 1,400 troops and civilian contractors to be based there. Correspondents say this is not the first time tensions have risen between the Venezuelan and Colombian presidents.
Correspondents say this is not the first time tensions have risen between the Venezuela and Colombian presidents.
Last year, a war of words culminated in the Venezuelans despatching tanks and heavy armour to the border.Last year, a war of words culminated in the Venezuelans despatching tanks and heavy armour to the border.
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