BBC News

Colombia frees Venezuelan guards

Nov 17--Colombia has released four members of the Venezuelan national guard who were detained on Colombian territory.

17 de noviembre de 2009

Colombia says they were stopped on Friday by its navy in a boat on a river in the border province of Vichada.

President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela ruled out dialogue with the Colombian government saying he would not accept outside mediation in the dispute.

The only way to resolve the conflict with Colombia is for the US to withdraw from military bases there, he added.

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe said the troops were being sent home as a message of the "unbreakable affection" between the two countries.
 
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