Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has threatened to break off diplomatic relations with Colombia in an escalating dispute over Bogota's decision to grant the US military access to Colombian bases.
"We have to prepare the rupture of relations with Colombia, Nicolas. This is going to happen," Chavez told his foreign minister, Nicolas Maduro in a state television broadcast.
Chavez is furious at a US-Colombian security agreement that will allow the US military access to seven of its bases to tackle drug trafficking and leftist guerrillas.
Chavez views the increased American military presence in Colombia as an attempt to surround and isolate his leftist government and has warned tat the build-up of troops could lead to war in South America.
Both Washington and Bogota have denied they are targeting Venezuela and maintain that the maximum number of US soldiers allowed on Colombian soil remains capped at 800 as before.
However, Chavez's concerns have found support with more moderate Latin American governments, including regional heavyweight Brazil.
His threat to cut ties with Colombia came before a regional summit in Bariloche, Argentina on Friday, where South American leaders will discuss the US-Colombian security arrangement.
The two Andean countries share a $7 billion a year trade relationship, but Chavez has vowed to shift Venezuela's purchases to Argentina and other nations it considers allies.
Reuters