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Ecuador leader 'linked to rebels' Colombia neighbours deploy troops
(about 2 hours later)
Colombia has said documents found in a cross-border raid suggest links between left-wing Farc rebels and Ecuador's President Rafael Correa. Ecuador and Venezuela have moved troops to their borders with Colombia in an escalating row over the killing of a Farc rebel leader in Ecuador.
Colombian troops had entered Ecuador in a raid that killed a Farc leader, Raul Reyes, and 16 other rebels. Ecuador and Venezuela have also both expelled Colombian diplomats.
Ecuador has expelled Colombia's ambassador following the attack and is sending troops to the border. Colombian troops entered Ecuador on Saturday in a raid that killed Colombian rebel leader Raul Reyes.
Earlier Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he was sending thousands of troops and tanks to the border. Colombia's foreign minister said he regretted that troops had to cross the border, but said it had been necessary "in the fight against terrorism".
A spokesman for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe told reporters the documents provided information that "Correa has a relationship and commitments with Farc". "The Colombian government has never wanted to disrespect or violate the sovereignty or integrity of the sister republic of Ecuador," Fernando Araujo said.
A spokesman for Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said that during the raid, troops had found documents that provided information that "[Ecuadorean President Correa] has a relationship and commitments with Farc",
Police commander Gen Oscar Naranjo said one document showed Reyes had met Ecuador's minister of internal security and that they discussed Mr Correa's "interest in making official relations with the Farc".Police commander Gen Oscar Naranjo said one document showed Reyes had met Ecuador's minister of internal security and that they discussed Mr Correa's "interest in making official relations with the Farc".
Earlier, Colombian Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo went on television to express regret that it had to enter Ecuador. Killing lamented
But he said that the raid about 1.8km (one mile) inside Ecuador was "indispensable". On Sunday, Mr Correa announced the expulsion of Colombia's ambassador in Ecuador.
Farc 'invincibility' shatteredAnalysis: War talkFarc 'invincibility' shatteredAnalysis: War talk
After Mr Araujo's statement, Mr Correa said: "I have decided on the immediate expulsion of Colombia's ambassador in Ecuador (Carlos Holguin)." The Ecuadorean president also said he was calling for an immediate meeting of the Organization of American States and the Andean Community of Nations.
Mr Correa also said he was calling for an immediate meeting of the Organisation of American States and the Andean Community of Nations. Speaking on his weekly television show, President Chavez said Venezuela's embassy in Bogota would close.
Speaking on his weekly television show, President Chavez had said Venezuela's embassy in Colombia would close. He lamented the killing of Reyes - whom he called a "good revolutionary" - when he spoke on his show, "Alo, Presidente".
Mr Chavez said he was reacting to the "cowardly murder" of Reyes.
Mr Chavez has been mediating with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - or Farc - to secure the release of hostages the rebels hold, and six have so far been freed under this initiative.Mr Chavez has been mediating with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - or Farc - to secure the release of hostages the rebels hold, and six have so far been freed under this initiative.
But he lamented the killing of Reyes - whom he called a "good revolutionary" - when he spoke on his show, "Alo, Presidente".
'Violated''Violated'
Colombia's defence minister had described the death of Reyes as the "biggest blow so far" to Farc.Colombia's defence minister had described the death of Reyes as the "biggest blow so far" to Farc.
But Mr Chavez described the strike as "a cowardly murder, all of it coldly calculated".But Mr Chavez described the strike as "a cowardly murder, all of it coldly calculated".
He said Colombia "invaded Ecuador, flagrantly violated Ecuador's sovereignty". He said Colombia had "invaded Ecuador, flagrantly violated Ecuador's sovereignty".
Mr Chavez addressed his defence minister, asking him to "move 10 battalions to the border with Colombia for me, immediately" - a deployment likely to involve several thousand soldiers.Mr Chavez addressed his defence minister, asking him to "move 10 battalions to the border with Colombia for me, immediately" - a deployment likely to involve several thousand soldiers.
"The air force should mobilise. We do not want war. But we are not going to let them... come and divide and weaken us.""The air force should mobilise. We do not want war. But we are not going to let them... come and divide and weaken us."
Colombia's government has received billions of dollars in aid from Washington to fight the guerrillas - as the US, along with the EU, views Farc as a terrorist organisation.Colombia's government has received billions of dollars in aid from Washington to fight the guerrillas - as the US, along with the EU, views Farc as a terrorist organisation.
Colombian troops have recently retaken control of areas previously held by rebel groups, but Farc retains a strong hold over Colombia's more remote regions.Colombian troops have recently retaken control of areas previously held by rebel groups, but Farc retains a strong hold over Colombia's more remote regions.