Venezuelan president orders war preparations

Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, has ordered the country's military to prepare for a possible armed conflict with Colombia.

Venezuelan soldiers in Puerto Cabello earlier this year. Colombia is to seek UN help after Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez instructed his military to ready "for war. " (AFP/File/Juan Carlos Hernandez)

Chavez warned that Venezuela could end up fighting Colombia as tensions between the South American neighbors worsen following a series of shootings and killings along their common border. He also voiced concern over a deal between Colombia and the US. Under the recently concluded 10-year lease agreement, American troops will have greater access to Colombian military bases. Chavez reiterated his fear that US soldiers are preparing to use the bases as launching pads for an attack on Venezuela in order to seize control of its oil reserves.

Colombian and US officials say their deal was not reached for the purpose of mounting military strikes against Colombia's neighbors. They claim it is necessary to more effectively help Colombia fight drug traffickers and rebels. Colombia says it will appeal to the UN Security Concil and the Organization of American States to assure peace afer the Venezuelan president ordered his army to prepare for a possible conflict.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said ,"The two governments have come together to lie to the world - or try to lie to the world. So, military comrades, we won't lose a day in completing our primary mission: to prepare ourselves for war, and to help the people prepare themselves for war, because it's everybody's responsibility."