Venezuela severs ties with Colombia

Venezuela has broken off diplomatic relations with Colombia and ordered Colombian diplomats to leave the country by Sunday. President Hugo Chavez said he had no choice after Colombia accused Venezuela of being a haven for guerrillas - a charge he denies. He said that he was acting out of dignity in severing ties. He also ordered the military to be on maximum alert on Venezuela's border with Colombia. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said the government was also considering suspending flights and cutting commercial ties with Colombia. President Chavez made his announcement shortly after a meeting of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Washington, at which Colombia presented videos, maps and photos to back up its claims that Marxist Farc and ELN rebels have bases in Venezuela.