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Venezuela Adds Firepower on Colombian Border

Tanks, aircraft deployed as standoff escalates

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2008 2:28 PM CST
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(Newser) – Venezuela deployed tanks to the Colombian border, Reuters reports, as Latin American tensions remained high enough that Hugo Chavez warned of an Andean war. Though Colombia refused to send reinforcements to its border, the mobilization of heavy artillery, including support from air and sea forces, is the first in the standoff following Colombia's weekend incursion into Ecuador to killFARC rebels.

Ecuador’s president continued to slam Colombia’s raid, saying “the region will be in danger" if the violation of Ecuador’s sovereignty is not condemned by the international community. Despite the saber-rattling, all-out war between the countries is still seen as unlikely, because they depend on mutual trade—and because Colombia’s US-equipped army holds a strong advantage.

Venezuelan soldiers gather as they prepare to board military buses to be transported to the Colombian border area at Fort Paramacay in Valencia, Venezuela,Tuesday, March 4, 2008. The Venezuelan military has been tightlipped about the movement of troops, which Chavez ordered to be carried out immediately on Sunday, including...
Venezuelan soldiers gather as they prepare to board military buses to be transported to the Colombian border area at Fort Paramacay in Valencia, Venezuela,Tuesday, March 4, 2008. The Venezuelan military...   (Associated Press)
A Venezuelan National Guard soldier inspects a truck carrying bricks at a check point in Paraguachon, on the Venezuelan border with Colombia, Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Venezuela has nearly completed its deployment of thousands of troops to states along the border with Colombia, Gen. Jesus Gonzalez Gonzalez said, after Colombia's...
A Venezuelan National Guard soldier inspects a truck carrying bricks at a check point in Paraguachon, on the Venezuelan border with Colombia, Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Venezuela has nearly completed its...   (Associated Press)
Venezuelan National Guard soldiers inspect a pickup truck at a check point in Paraguachon, on the Venezuelan border with Colombia, Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Venezuela has nearly completed its deployment of thousands of troops to states along the border with Colombia, Gen. Jesus Gonzalez Gonzalez said, after Colombia's strike on...
Venezuelan National Guard soldiers inspect a pickup truck at a check point in Paraguachon, on the Venezuelan border with Colombia, Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Venezuela has nearly completed its deployment...   (Associated Press)
A Venezuelan National Guard soldiers stands on a armored vehicle at a check point in Paraguachon, on the Venezuelan border with Colombia, Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Venezuela has nearly completed its deployment of thousands of troops to states along the border with Colombia, Gen. Jesus Gonzalez Gonzalez said, after Colombia's...
A Venezuelan National Guard soldiers stands on a armored vehicle at a check point in Paraguachon, on the Venezuelan border with Colombia, Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Venezuela has nearly completed its deployment...   (Associated Press)
Venezuela's Defense Minister Gen. Gustavo Rangel Briceno gestures during a news conference in Caracas, Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Venezuela and Ecuador have sent thousands of troops to reinforce security along their borders with Colombia in response to a Colombian military strike that killed two dozen rebels at a camp on...
Venezuela's Defense Minister Gen. Gustavo Rangel Briceno gestures during a news conference in Caracas, Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Venezuela and Ecuador have sent thousands of troops to reinforce security...   (Associated Press)
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Venezuela shows its teeth, Colombia defiant
New York Times

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military • Venezuela • Colombia • Ecuador • tanks • FARC • Hugo Chávez • Alvaro Uribe • Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia • Rafael Correa

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