The unstable relationship between Venezuela and Colombia has reached the break-up stage in the eyes of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The outspoken leader cut all diplomatic relationships with the neighboring nation on Thursday, accusing them of fabricating stories about his ties to Colombian rebel forces.

Chavez said he was forced to server the relationship because Colombia continues to tell the world that his country is knowingly providing a safe haven for anti-Colombia rebel troops. At a meeting of the Organization of American States in Washington, Colombian Ambassador Luis Alfonso Hoyos presented photos, videos, witness testimony and maps of what he said were rebel camps inside Venezuela.

Colombian officials estimate up to 1,500 rebel troops are hiding out in the jungles of Venezuela. Hoyos challenged Venezuelan officials to let independent international observers visit the camps.

Chavez questioned the validity of the footage and hinted that outgoing President Alvaro Uribe, could be attempting to provoke a war. He also suggested that his longtime rival the United States is somehow involved in the scheme. The socialist leader believes the US, an ally of Colombia, wants his country to be labeled a supporter of terrorist groups to justify US military intervention in Venezuela.

“Uribe is even capable of setting up a fake camp in one of the jungles on the Venezuelan side to attack it, bomb it and bring about a war between Colombia and Venezuela,” Chavez said.

Laura Gil, a political analyst and columnist for the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, told MSNBC that the conflict still has a chance to be resolved given that Chavez directed most of his comments to the outgoing Uribe. He’ll have a chance to mend the relationship with Colombian President-elect Juan Manuel Santos.

In Venezuela some political opponents see this latest move by Chavez as grandstanding to steer attention away from other issues in the country. Opposition politician Julio Borges accused Chavez of turning the public’s attention from pressing problems like Venezuela’s soaring inflation and rampant crime.

“It’s another attempt by the government to try to redirect attention,” Borges told The Associated Press.

Source via K!dult