Hugo Chavez 'ready for war with Colombia'

Published on Friday 30 July 2010 22:04

VENEZUELAN president Hugo Chavez yesterday said he has deployed troops and air units in case of a conflict with neighbouring Colombia.

Chavez did not give details about the deployments, but said he has been saddened to be spending hours "reviewing war plans" due to tensions with Colombia.

He also claimed Colombia was preparing a military attack. Colombia denies the charge.

"I should tell you we have deployed units to defend our sovereignty in case of an aggression, air defence units, air units, infantry, special operations," Chavez informed the nation during a televised broadcast. He added that a Colombian aircraft had violated Venezuela airspace for five minutes this week.

"We don't want to hurt anybody. We don't want to cause alarm in the population," said Chavez.

The socialist president also said he hopes it will be possible to talk with Colombian President-elect Juan Manuel Santos and ease tensions after he takes office on 7 August.

Chavez cut off diplomatic relations with US-allied Colombia last week after outgoing president Alvaro Uribe's government presented photos, videos and maps of what it said were Colombian rebel camps inside Venezuela.

Chavez called it an attempt to smear his government and said Uribe could be trying to lay the groundwork for an armed conflict. Colombia denies this and has said it is simply seeking cooperation from Venezuela in rooting out rebels.