Columbian rebels 'are in Venezuela'

COLOMBIA has proof leaders of outlawed rebel groups are hiding in neighbouring Venezuela, the government has said in a statement likely to further strain already tense relations between the Andean countries.

Colombian officials have long suspected members of guerrilla armies like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and National Liberation Army (ELN) are based in jungles on Venezuela's side of the border.

Yesterday marked the first public assertion of proof.

"The government has evidence showing the presence in Venezuela of leaders of the FARC and the terrorist group ELN," the statement said.

Among the rebels Colombia says are hiding in Venezuela is Ivan Marquez, a member of the FARC's seven-man secretariat.

Two years ago, Colombian forces attacked a FARC camp in neighbouring Ecuador, killing a rebel leader. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez sent tanks to his border with Colombia, raising fears of war.

Ecuador and Venezuela broke diplomatic ties with Colombia over the raid.

Colombia has received billions of dollars in US aid to help fight the FARC and ELN, which are funded by kidnapping, extortion and cocaine smuggling.

Chavez, a vocal critic of US influence in Latin America, denies frequent charges from critics that he backs groups like FARC.