Chavez freezes ties with Colombia

‘Aiding the Farc’

Colombian officials have long alleged that Chavez’s government has aided Farc and last week, the government announced that anti-tank rocket launchers found in the rebel group’s possession had been sold by Sweden to Venezuela during the 1980s.

Sweden has confirmed the weapons were originally sold to the Venezuelan military.

In recent days, Chavez has also expressed growing discontent over an increased US military presence in Colombia.

The US plans to shift its anti-drug operations from Ecuador to three Colombian airbases, a move Chavez says poses a threat to his country.