President Hugo Chavez has threatened an all-out war in South America should the US want to provoke Colombia to launch an armed conflict in the region.
Chavez said Venezuela could end up going to war with Colombia, warning that if a conflict broke out "it could extend throughout the whole continent."
The anti-US leader ordered the military to prepare for a possible war, addressing President Barack Obama to be cautious about any move in the region.
"Don't make a mistake, Mr. Obama, by ordering an attack against Venezuela by way of Colombia," Chavez said during his weekly television and radio program Sunday.
However, the Colombian government dismissed Chavez's threats, saying it would protest to the Organization of American States (OAS) and the UN Security Council.
"Colombia never has, and never will, make an act of war," government spokesman Cesar Mauricio Velasquez said.
A recent military agreement between the US and Colombia that gives American troops greater access to military bases of Colombia has sparked controversy in the region.
In recent weeks, tensions between the two Latin American nations have been worsened by a series of shootings.
Last week, two Venezuelan National Guard troops were killed at a checkpoint near the border in Venezuela's western Tachira state, prompting Caracas to temporarily close some border crossings.
The violence prompted Venezuela to send 15,000 soldiers to the border with Colombia on Thursday to increase security along the border.
Posted by ed 2009-11-10 01:15||
2009-11-10 01:15||
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#3 Thats your buddy, Obama. So, whats up?
Posted by newc">newc
2009-11-10 06:44||
2009-11-10 06:44||
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#4 What's up
is that there are food, water, and electricity shortages ==> a great patriotic war is in order.
Posted by g(r)omgoru 2009-11-10 09:13||
2009-11-10 09:13||
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#5 Thats your buddy, Obama. So, whats up?
heheh. It will be fun where liberals find Obama's brilliant nuanced diplomacy in this one.
Posted by Jumbo Whusort5448 2009-11-10 09:39||
2009-11-10 09:39||
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#6 it will be fun to see... It wasn't a mistake (cough, cough) I was just testing everyone's ability to properly nuance the missing pieces.
Posted by Jumbo Whusort5448 2009-11-10 09:42||
2009-11-10 09:42||
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#7 Talk is cheap, fat boy. Let's see what ya got.
Posted by mojo 2009-11-10 10:44||
2009-11-10 10:44||
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#8 Not that I want to see this happen by any means, but . . . if Venezuelan warplanes bombed Key West, that would put Obama and the far left Dems in a bit of a tough spot, would it not?
Posted by Mike 2009-11-10 11:18||
2009-11-10 11:18||
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#9 Mike: It would be W. Bush's fault for provoking Chavez. And the Key Westers, as well, for, like, making Key Lime Pies and things.
Posted by Anonymoose 2009-11-10 12:29||
2009-11-10 12:29||
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President Hugo Chavez has threatened an all-out war in South America should the US want to provoke Colombia to launch an armed conflict in the region. 