Chavez warns against US military presence in Colombia

September 13th, 2009 Venezuela gets $2.2B in credit for Russian armsCARACAS, Venezuela — Russia has opened a $2.2 billion line of credit for Venezuela to purchase weapons including armored vehicles and surface-to-air missiles, President Hugo Chavez said Sunday. Venezuela is buying more arms because it feels threatened by Colombia's decision to give U.S.

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 18th, 2009 CARACAS - The purchase of Russian tanks will be among the several agreements to be signed between Moscow and Caracas during the visit of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in September, according to media reports. Local media reports quoted Chavez as saying Monday that the purchase of the tanks was part of a modernisation plan for the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela.

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 14th, 2009 US defends plan to use Colombian military basesCARACAS, Venezuela — U.S. military officials on Thursday defended a proposed agreement to use seven Colombia bases, saying the deal would not change U.S.

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 9th, 2009 Venezuela orders ambassador back to ColombiaCARACAS, Venezuela —President Hugo Chavez announced he is sending his ambassador back to Colombia, signaling a willingness to ease a diplomatic impasse while not backing down from opposing Colombia's plan to open its military bases to a bigger U.S. presence. Chavez said as he met with a group of Colombian opposition politicians Saturday night that he still firmly opposes President Alvaro Uribe's plan to allow American troops to use at least seven Colombian military bases, calling it a threat to Venezuela and the region.

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.

August 7th, 2009 Ex-president urges end to Colombia-Venezuela fightCARACAS, Venezuela — A former Colombian president sought to ease tensions between Caracas and Bogota on Thursday, but Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez said relations will remain rocky if the neighboring nation gives U.S. troops access to its bases.

August 5th, 2009 Chavez: Venezuela to buy more tanksCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez says his government plans to buy dozens of tanks because Venezuela feels threatened by pending deal to increase the U.S. military presence in Colombia.

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 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 24th, 2009 Venezuela upset by pending US-Colombia pactCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez says Colombia should not underestimate Venezuela's concerns over the neighboring country's decision to forge stronger military ties with the United States. From Venezuela's point of view, Chavez said Thursday, it's like "opening your house for your neighbor's enemy." Colombian officials have said Venezuela should not be concerned by a pact being negotiated to let U.S.

July 21st, 2009 Chavez objects to Colombia's base deal with USCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is objecting to Colombia's decision to let the United States increase its military presence in the neighboring country. Chavez said Tuesday that Colombia's plan to accommodate more U.S.

May 4th, 2009 CARACAS - A Venezuelan military helicopter crashed near the country's border with Colombia killing 18 soldiers, President Hugo Chavez said Sunday. One general, 16 soldiers and one civilian died in the crash, Chavez said on Alo Presidente (Hello President), his weekly broadcast to the nation.