This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8192631.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Chavez slams Colombia 'incursion' Colombia 'incursion' riles Chavez
(about 3 hours later)
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 incursion - which Colombia denies happened - was a "provocation".He said the incursion - which Colombia denies happened - was a "provocation".
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. South American leaders are gathering in Ecuador for a summit which is set to discuss Colombia's planned accord to allow the US use of its military 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, since news of the plan emerged.
'Growing threat''Growing threat'
During his weekly TV show on Sunday, President Chavez ordered his troops on to a war footing along the border with Colombia. During his weekly TV show on Sunday, Mr 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", but 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".
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.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. Mr Chavez, who is now in Ecuador for the inauguration of President Rafael Correa and a summit of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur), is expected to urge his allies in the region to press Mr Uribe to reconsider the planned accord with the US.
He has expressed concern that the seven Colombian bases could become a new Guantanamo, or an enclave of US influence, like Israel. LATEST DISPUTE 15 Jul: Colombia says deal close to make Colombia regional hub for anti-drug operations28 Jul: Chavez freezes ties with Colombia, recalls ambassador amid row over base plan, and after Colombia says Farc rebels had Venezuelan weapons4 Aug: Uribe tours South America to explain planned US accord5 Aug: Chavez announces trade measures against Colombia7 Aug: Chavez says he is sending ambassador back to Colombia9 Aug: Chavez denounces Colombian 'incursion'
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. Ecuador, which has no diplomatic ties with Colombia, and Bolivia have also attacked the plan. Other countries in the region, including Brazil, have sought guarantees that US-Colombian military operations will not spill over Colombia's borders.
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. The US is leaving its previous regional hub, the Manta air base in Ecuador, after Mr Correa refused to renew the lease.
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. The deal with Colombia would give the US, which already has forces in the country as part of the anti-drugs programme Plan Colombia, access to air bases in Colombia to gather intelligence and support operations against drugs production and terrorism.
Mr Uribe has said the US military presence will help Colombia in the fight against drugs trafficking and left-wing rebel groups. Mr Uribe has said the accord will not infringe Colombia's sovereignty and that 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.
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.
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 Venezuelan 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.
Are you in Venezuela or Colombia? How do you think these latest events will affect the relations between the two countries? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Venezuela or Colombia? How do you think these latest events will affect the relations between the two countries? Send us your comments using the form below.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions