Venezuela accused Colombia of lying and destabilizing the region due to its alliance with the United States, after the government of Álvaro Uribe announced it will ask international organisms for help after receiving war threats from President Hugo Chávez.

The tension between both governments has increased since Chávez froze diplomatic relationships in July with Bogotá for allowing a larger US military presence, ordering the reduction of the multimillionaire imports of the neighbouring country.

"Uribe's government lies, as it has been demonstrated that the objective of the agreement which officialises the US military occupation of Colombia is to project the strategic domination of the empire in South America," said the Venezuelan Chancery in a harsh communiqué, in which it accused Uribe's government of immoral, hypocritical, and submissive.

Last Sunday, Chávez asked his army to prepare for war, days after having reinforced with more than 15,000 soldiers the more than 2,000 kilometres of borders it shares with Colombia, where irregular groups, drug-traffickers, and smugglers operate.

"Military comrades, we shouldn't lose a day in the compliance of our main mission: prepare for war, and help the people prepare for war, because it's everyone's responsibility," said the controversial socialist leader in his dominical radio and TV programme.

Colombia responded to these declarations with a communiqué in which it announced that it will present a case before the United Nations Security Council and the Organization of American States (OAS), reiterating that the agreement with Washington is oriented to combating guerrillas and drug-trafficking.

Caracas said it was ready to debate and to present "its truth" over the use of the Colombian bases by the US army before multilateral organisms.