Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday that his country would sever relations with Colombia over claims that Caracas is helping militants.
"We have no other choice but to totally cut off our relations with our brother nation of Colombia," he said on national TV.
Colombia has accused Venezuela of aiding leftist militants and on Thursday produced photographs of what it says are Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and National Liberation Army (ELN) camps in Venezuela.
But Chavez, who was speaking next to football legend Diego Maradona, on a visit to the country, said the U.S. is using Colombia to undermine Venezuela’s efforts toward regional integration.
He also said that Venezuela was acting “out of dignity” and that the country’s borders were well guarded.
Chavez was speaking as Colombian President Alvaro Uribe prepares to leave office. He is in the final month of his presidency and will be replaced by former defense minister, Juan Manuel Santos.
Colombia has also accused Ecuador of assisting militants.
MOSCOW, July 22 (RIA Novosti)
