Venezuela and Ecuador Send Troops to Colombia's Border

03 March 2008 -- Colombia -- Venezuela and Ecuador moved their armies to the Colombian border and shut down their embassies in Bogota amid rising tensions about Colombia's cross-border raid against FARC rebels in Ecuador.

Venezuela has also deployed tanks and fighter planes to the border. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says Colombia's incursion into Ecuador has pushed South America to the brink of war.

Article continues below...

The Colombian government said Sunday it was necessary for Colombian troops to enter Ecuador Saturday for a military operation against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. The raid left 18 people dead, including FARC leader Raul Reyes.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa says Colombian President Alvaro Uribe told him Colombian forces were pursing FARC rebels. However, Mr. Correa said there is no evidence of any pursuit, and that it appears the rebels were killed in their sleep.

Colombia says documents found in the rebels' camp in Ecuador showed ties between FARC and Ecuador's president.

President Correa says Colombia's president was either misinformed or lied about the jungle attack.

The death of 59-year-old FARC leader Reyes is seen as a victory for Colombia's president, who has been under increasing international pressure to ease Colombia's long-running conflict with the FARC.

The Colombian government has been negotiating the swap of jailed rebels for FARC-held hostages. Four hostages were released to Venezuelan authorities on Wednesday.

The leftist rebel group is believed to be holding about 750 hostages in jungle hideouts.

Source: VOA News