Chávez sends tanks to Colombia border
 

Tensions between the radical government of Venezuela and pro-US Colombia reached new heights on Sunday after Hugo Chávez apparently ordered the mobilisation of his air force and ordered tank battalions to move to the frontier between the two countries.

The announcement, made on the Venezuelan presid­ent’s weekly television show Aló Presidente, came a day after Colombian forces killed a senior commander of the leftwing Farc guerrilla move­ment in an attack in Ecuador, Venezuela’s ally.

Mr Chávez ordered Venezuela’s embassy in Colombia to be closed. “Mr defence minister, move me 10 battalions to the frontier with Colombia immediately, tank battalions. The air force should mobilise.”

Mr Chávez earlier warned Colombia not to repeat its counter-insurgency actions inside Venezuela, suggesting that this could spark a war. However, on his show Mr Chávez apparently upped the stakes. “I am putting Venezuela on alert and we will support Ecuador in whatever circumstances.”

More at:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b7ee9eec-e89d-11dc-913a-0000779fd2ac.html

I wouldn't worry too much. Personally, I think this amounts to little more than posturing and it will blow over. Possibly, the greatest danger to travellers will be reprisals by FARC for the death of Raul Reyes. At this stage I wouldn't change travel plans.

Ecuador too, have reinforced their border.

You don't really notice it here in Medellin, but maybe I will see more when I move south in a couple of days.

Buen camino. Cuidate mucho & keep us posted.

Ecuador sending troops to Colombian border

Regional tensions rise as Venezuela, Ecuador send troops to border with Colombia _English_Xinhua


Regional tensions rise as Venezuela, Ecuador send troops to border with Colombia
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CARACAS/BOGOTA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Regional tensions increased Sunday as Venezuela and Ecuador boosted military deployment on their Colombian borders, following Colombia's anti-rebel action along its border with Ecuador.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday he was immediately sending troops, tanks and fighter aircraft to the Colombian frontier. "We don't want a war, but we are not going to allow them to violate our territorial sovereignty," he said during his weekly TV and radio program
Chavez said Ecuador was also moving troops to its northern border (with Colombia), adding that his Ecuadorian counterpart Rafael Correa could "count on Venezuela for whatever it needs, in any situation."

Ecuador leader 'linked to rebels'

BBC NEWS | Americas | Ecuador leader 'linked to rebels'

Rafael Correa ordered troops to the northern border
Colombia has said documents found in a cross-border raid suggest links between left-wing Farc rebels and Ecuador's President Rafael Correa.
Colombian troops had entered Ecuador in a raid that killed a Farc leader, Raul Reyes, and 16 other rebels.
...
A spokesman for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe told reporters the documents provided information that "Correa has a relationship and commitments with Farc".

Due the recent escalation tension between Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador I think everybody need to be very careful at the time when road in this border; specially between Venezuela/Colombia.
My better advice is avoid this border for some time until situation clarified; I NOT DISCARD this countries close their border for some time or impose some restriction at travelers.
Due USA's political position in this conflict I suggest AVOID this countries unless you know:stormy::stormy::stormy: any citizen as a contact.

What do you know Garrobito? On what are you basing your advice? It's my understanding that trade between Colombia and Venezuela has not been affected in any way, and if there was any major disruption at Paraguiapoa or Cucuta, I'm sure there would be reports about it. The former coastal route is a massive gateway to Colombo - Venezealano trade. In terms of risk, I think the Southern border with Ecuador rather than the Venezuelan border is of more note.

If you know something that I don't, please feel free to correct me ;)

Chavez has friends in high places
 

This guy Chavez is a big mate of Ken Livingstone (yes, I know most of you have never heard of him), the Lord Mayor of London, no less.
There are "trade" agreements in place between the two of them for sharing of information (and who knows what else?) from London to Venezuela and oil in the reverse direction.

With backing of that nature, he can't fail!! :rolleyes2:

More BBC coverage BTW:-

BBC NEWS | Americas | Colombia neighbours deploy troops

Things are calming down now.


Colombia Files Show Chavez Funded FARC, Rebels Sought Uranium

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aMPbNS8tsmVo&refer=latin_ame rica


(Texas accent /on) Lemme get this straight....They have oil and are seeking WMDs....Shoot, I bet if we invade it will pay for itself....

"Things are calming down now."

What did I tell you!

What baffles me is how they managed to blow 7 kinds of shite out of Reyes and EVERYONE else there, (apart from 3 WOMEN), and his computer still works? ;)

Last news in Argentine tv,Ecuador breaks relations with Colombia
 

Not official yet but looks that Ecuador is breaking diplomatic relations with Colombia.
Bad that things escalate now.
Hopefully it ends soon with no belic results.
Good luck on the road and be carefull people
KH

If anyone is on or near the Colombia/Ecuador border, or if they have info about crossing it, please let us know what conditions are like, and if US passports and US bike registration is a problem. I have a Panama passport also, but there's nothing I can do about the US registration for my bike.

I'm planning on flying from Panama to Bogota around the 21st of March.

Officials: US Data Helped Colombia Hit Ecuador FARC Camp -AFP

Company News Story&

BOGOTA (AFP)--U.S. intelligence helped Colombia carry out a weekend strike against a FARC rebel camp inside Ecuador, Colombian officials said Monday.
Colombian police chief General Oscar Naranjo told reporters "it's no secret" that his country's agencies have "a very strong alliance with federal agencies of the United States," though he didn't specify which ones.

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Man. I swear. I'm no Chavez fan but can't we just leave people the hell alone for once.

Laser - I understand that the intelligence came from the source of the hardware purchase in Miami.