Venezuela Launches Air Strike Against Suspected Colombian Guerrillas

<a href=www.voanews.com>VOA News 31 Mar 2003, 10:11 UTC

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says government forces have carried out an air strike against suspected Colombian guerrillas inside Venezuelan territory.

Mr. Chavez said during his weekly television program Sunday that he ordered the strike after the guerrillas attacked a Venezuelan military post near the border. He said the military action was effective and that his government will not tolerate Colombian armed groups entering Venezuela.

Mr. Chavez did not identify the guerrillas as either leftist Colombian rebels or right-wing paramilitaries. Nor did he say if there were any casualties in the attack.

Critics in Venezuela and Colombia have accused the leftist populist leader of supporting Colombian rebels inside Venezuela, a charge Mr. Chavez has repeatedly denied.