Chavez: Bogota should not underestimate concerns over Colombia’s growing military ties with US

September 23rd, 2009 Chavez: military helped Zelaya return to HondurasNEW YORK — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says the ousted Honduran president sneaked back to his country with the help of Honduran military personnel. Chavez says ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya traveled by plane, in the trunk of a car and in tractors from Nicaragua to Honduras in a secret operation aided by supporters in the military.

September 20th, 2009 Carter concerned Chavez has become authoritarianBOGOTA, Colombia — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says he is disappointed by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and concerned he is increasingly shifting toward an authoritarian regime.

September 11th, 2009 Chavez: Venezuela to get rockets from RussiaCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has signed military agreements with Russia and is soon expecting the arrival of some "little rockets." Chavez says the rockets reach up to 186 miles (300 kilometers) and are strictly for defense purposes. Chavez returned Friday from a world tour including a visit to Russia, where he met with President Dmitry Medvedev.

September 4th, 2009 Multi-city protests call for 'No More Chavez'BOGOTA — Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez held protests Friday against the leftist leader in cities across Latin America, in an effort coordinated through Twitter, Facebook and a Web site titled "No More Chavez!" They grasped banners and signs with images of Chavez in a straitjacket and wearing a red clown nose. "Chavez, the shame of Bolivia," read a banner in the Bolivian capital of La Paz.

September 4th, 2009 Critics march against Chavez across Latin AmericaBOGOTA — Thousands of opponents of Hugo Chavez marched against the Venezuelan president across Latin America on Friday, accusing him of everything from authoritarianism to international meddling. The protests, coordinated through Twitter and Facebook, drew more than 5,000 people in Bogota, and thousands more in the capitals of Venezuela and Honduras.

August 26th, 2009 Chavez: Venezuela ready to sever ties to ColombiaCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez said Tuesday that Venezuela is getting ready to break off diplomatic relations with Colombia over the neighboring country's plan to give American troops greater access to its military bases. Chavez said that "there's no possibility" of repairing relations with the government of President Alvaro Uribe and that he instructed his foreign minister to "begin preparing for the rupture with Colombia." "It's going to happen.

August 16th, 2009 Chavez: Venezuela to strengthen ties with alliesCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez says Venezuela's ties with nations like Russia and China have gained importance as the U.S. moves to expand its military presence in Latin America.

August 10th, 2009 Chavez urges military to be prepared for conflictCARACAS, Venezuela —President Hugo Chavez told his military to be prepared for a possible confrontation with Colombia, warning that Bogota's plans to increase the U.S. military presence at its bases poses a threat to Venezuela.

August 8th, 2009 Chavez: Venezuela to return ambassador to ColombiaCARACAS, Venezuela —President Hugo Chavez said Saturday he's returning his ambassador to Colombia, moving to resolve rising diplomatic tensions over weapons found in a rebel cache. Chavez told Ambassador Gustavo Marquez to return to Bogota 11 days after recalling him over Colombia's statement that the anti-tank weapons came from Venezuela.

July 29th, 2009 Chavez recalls Venezuela's envoy to ColombiaCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez recalled Venezuela's ambassador to Colombia and froze diplomatic relations with the neighboring country Tuesday to protest Bogota's suggestions that weapons found in a rebel arms cache could have come from Venezuela. Chavez accused the government of President Alvaro Uribe of acting "irresponsibly," saying there is no evidence the Swedish-made anti-tank rocket launchers that Colombia says its military seized came from Venezuela.

July 29th, 2009 Chavez 'freezes' diplomatic ties with ColombiaCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez recalled his ambassador from Bogota on Tuesday and threatened to halt Colombian imports after the neighboring country said anti-tank weapons found in a rebel arms cache came from Venezuela. Chavez also said he would sever diplomatic ties completely and seize control of Colombian-owned businesses "if there's one more accusation against Venezuela." The actions ratcheted up tensions between the two countries amid Chavez's criticism of a pending deal to increase the U.S.

July 25th, 2009 CARACAS - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has pledged that his government will strengthen the nation's military might, while alleging that the US is trying to turn Colombia into an "Israel" in the neighbourhood. "What is important is to continue strengthening the republic's military power," Chavez said at an official ceremony broadcast live on all radio and television stations Friday.

July 14th, 2009 Chavez opponents to meet with OAS chiefCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan opposition leaders said Monday that they will meet with the secretary-general of the Organization of American States to discuss their concerns about growing authoritarianism under President Hugo Chavez. Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma says he and others want to talk with OAS chief Jose Miguel Insulza about actions taken by Chavez that have eroded the authority and funding of elected officials.

June 28th, 2009 Chavez to US general: You're the threat, not usCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez says a U.S. general shouldn't be raising concerns that Venezuela is buying arms, and the American commander is wrong to argue there isn't a "conventional military threat in the region." Chavez says the U.S.

June 25th, 2009 CARACAS - Venezuela and the US have agreed to restore their diplomatic ties, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said. Washington cut off diplomatic ties with Caracas after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez expelled US ambassador Patrick Duddy from the Andean nation Sep 11, 2008.