Venezuela blasts Colombia at regional summit

Quito : Venezuela's government yesterday blasted Colombia's defence minister as a "crazy sniper" at a summit in Quito, where South American ministers agreed to sign a partial accord over security in the region.

The remarks came at a time of heightened tensions between Colombia and Venezuela, two Andean neighbours caught up in a simmering diplomatic dispute that is raising the risk of border violence and damaging bilateral trade ties.

Colombia had refused to send senior cabinet ministers to the UNASUR meeting of South American countries in Ecuador's capital, citing "offences" the country has suffered during its feud with Venezuela.

"Colombia's defence minister stayed in Bogota and started to say things, like some crazy sniper, irresponsible, warmongering, firing shots at Venezuela," Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro told reporters. "Why didn't he come here to say face to face what he said today."

Maduro's comments came just hours after Colombian Defence Minister Gabriel Silva reiterated charges Colombian Farc commander Ivan Marquez and several commanders from the smaller ELN rebel group were hiding in Venezuela.

Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez says a military pact signed in October between Colombia and the United States could set the stage for a US invasion of his Opec country.