Venezuela cuts diplomatic ties with Colombia

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/07/28/venezuela.colombia/index.html

(CNN) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez froze diplomatic ties with neighboring Colombia, citing verbal "aggressions" from that country, he said in a televised speech Tuesday.

The announcement follows declarations from the Colombian government that anti-tank weapons purchased by Venezuela from Sweden ended up in the hands of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

Chavez recalled Venezuela's ambassador to Colombia, as well as most of its staff.

"Leave only the lowest functionaries" at the embassy, Chavez said.

Chavez also threatened to take over Colombian companies operating in Venezuela. If Colombia offends Venezuela one more time, he said, "the Colombian companies here will be expropriated."

Colombia's claims are "mistaken," added Chavez, who called the country's leaders "irresponsible."