Colombia/Venezuela - Latino tensions

Colombia may turn to UN after Chavez war cry

Article published on the 2009-11-09 Latest update 2009-11-09 09:21 TU

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during his weekly broadcast Sunday
(Photo: Reuters)

Colombia is planning to seek help from the United Nations after Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez instructed his military to ready for war.

"Faced with these threats of war by the government of Venezuela, the government of Colombia is weighing heading to the Organisation of American States and UN Security Council," President Alvaro Uribe said in a statement.

"Colombia has not made nor will it make any bellicose move toward the international community, (and) even less so toward fellow Latin American nations."

The statement said Colombia was ready for “frank dialogue, achieving greater understanding and to the rules of international law".

Hours earlier, Chavez urged his military leaders to prepare for war and to ready citizens to "defend the homeland," as tensions continue to mount over fractious ties with neighbouring Colombia.

"Let's not waste a day on our main aim: to prepare for war and to help the people prepare for war, because it is everyone's responsibility," Chavez said during his weekly radio and television show Alo, Presidente.

The comments come at a tense time for the region as Colombia signs a controversial military agreement with the United States to let US forces use seven military bases in Colombia for anti-drug operations.

Chavez has repeatedly voiced deep fears of US encroachment in the region.