Leaders condemn US-Colombia deal

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez said it was part of a US strategy to dominate the region. Bolivia and Ecuador also said the deal was a threat to peace.

But Colombian President Alvaro Uribe defended the plan, which will give US forces access to seven military bases.

Mr Uribe said it was needed to combat drug-traffickers and insurgents.

"We are not talking about a political game, we are talking about a threat that has spilled blood in Colombian society," he said after holding up pictures of victims of attacks by leftist Farc rebels.
 
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