This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7502362.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Uribe and Chavez try to heal rift Uribe and Chavez hail 'new era'
(about 1 hour later)
The Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, has been meeting his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, in an effort to mend the rift between the two men. President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe say they want to promote closer ties, after months of political tension.
The two presidents have exchanged insults and accusations in a series of rows over the past eight months. Speaking after a one-day meeting in Venezuela, Mr Chavez said that a new era of co-operation was dawning.
They are meeting in the northern Venezuelan town of Punto Fijo, where they are expected to sign economic and trade accords. For his part, Mr Uribe said the two countries could resolve their disputes.
Relations hit their lowest point in March, when Mr Chavez sent troops to the border following a Colombian raid against a rebel camp inside Ecuador.
Analysts say improving links will be of political and economic benefit to both.Analysts say improving links will be of political and economic benefit to both.
Relations between the two neighbours hit their lowest point in years last March, when Colombia attacked a base of the left-wing Farc rebels just over the border in Ecuador, Venezuela's ally. Before meeting Mr Uribe in the northern Venezuelan town of Punto Fijo, Hugo Chavez said he would treat his Colombian counterpart as a "brother".
Bogota has accused President Chavez of funding the Farc - the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - which lost a senior leader in the raid. We said some harsh things, [but] between brothers these things happen Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
After their talks, Mr Chavez said: "As of now, a new stage begins with Colombia."
At the height of their dispute earlier this year, Bogota accused President Chavez of funding the Farc - the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
Mr Chavez denies the claims, saying any contact was related to negotiations to secure the release of hostages it was holding.Mr Chavez denies the claims, saying any contact was related to negotiations to secure the release of hostages it was holding.
He has called for the group to be taken off international lists of terrorist organisations.
However, President Chavez has distanced himself from the Farc in recent weeks, calling on them to end their campaign of violence.
InterdependentInterdependent
Before meeting Mr Uribe, Hugo Chavez said he would treat his Colombian counterpart as a "brother". President Chavez has distanced himself from the Farc in recent weeks, calling on them to end their campaign of violence.
We said some harsh things, [but] between brothers these things happen Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez He said the talks were aimed at a "relaunch of co-operation, peace and [the] integration of Latin America".
A statement from the meeting has not yet been released, but Mr Uribe was not expected to mention the Farc.
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says that despite the political differences between their leaders, the two neighbours need to get on for their mutual political and economic health.The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says that despite the political differences between their leaders, the two neighbours need to get on for their mutual political and economic health.
Mr Chavez's open support for the Farc was not popular in Venezuela and he wants his supporters to do well in November's elections for the National Assembly, our correspondent says.Mr Chavez's open support for the Farc was not popular in Venezuela and he wants his supporters to do well in November's elections for the National Assembly, our correspondent says.
Mr Uribe is still basking in international praise since the Colombian army freed former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other important hostages from the guerrillas this month, he adds. Mr Uribe is still basking in international praise since the Colombian army freed former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other prominent hostages from the guerrillas this month, he adds.
The two presidents are expected to sign a number of accords on trade, taxes and border co-operation.The two presidents are expected to sign a number of accords on trade, taxes and border co-operation.