Venezuela on Thursday warned that the United States is aiming for a bigger military role in South America through an agreement with Colombia for expanded use of its bases.
Tensions have been growing between Venezuela and Colombia over the newly signed deal granting the U.S. military greater access to Colombian bases, including US$46 million for construction at the Palanquero air base — much of it to modernize the runway.
President Hugo Chavez has warned Venezuelan troops to be ready in case the U.S. seeks to provoke an armed conflict.
Information Minister Blanca Eekhout said Thursday that Venezuela believes a bigger U.S. military presence in Colombia would threaten peace in the region.
“Between Colombia and Venezuela, there is no conflict because ... Colombian people are the same people,” Eekhout told reporters. “Our conflict is with the military bases.”
“The situation with Colombia doesn’t need negotiation,” she said. “The one that needs to be negotiated with is the United States.”
