It´s rather touching to think of FARC guerillas tucked up in their jim-jams. What is the current fashion for your modern Latin American "freedom-fighter"? Winnie the Pooh? Backyardigans?

Nigel Edwards, Caracas, Venezuela

Face-to-face war in the region is difficult, due to the complicated logistics presented by jungles and mountainous terrain. Declared hostilities would be an extension of the current guerrilla war. Led by the FARC, actively supported on either side by Venezuela and Ecuador, masterminded and financed by Hugo Chavez, it is a war that Colombia cannot win. They have failed to control the FARC so far, and would eventually lose to a three-way coalition financed by oil money.
This is not a surprise event - the re-creation of Simon Bolivar's failed plan for a united "Gran Colombia" was on the Chavez agenda even before he mounted his unsuccessful coup. The Colombian incursion into Ecuador has simply given Chavez the excuse he needed to engage in open aggression and the chance to formalise his covert empire-building.
However, a declaration of war is unlikely at the present time. Chavez is simply testing international (especially U.S.) reactions before committing to his Bolivarian master plan.

Terence Jeal, Maracay, Venezuela

The Colombians have direct United States backing, because this is a chance for the Americans to take control of the oil fields in Venezuela.

Bob Johnson, San Fransico, Calafornia/United States

Chris in Ohio, America would be glad to wave bye-bye to you too. Sadly we have plenty like you in the UK such as the inadequate Mayor of London who thinks it cool to spend tax payers' money feting the undesirables of the world like Chavez. Venezuela should have a net positive GDP with its natural resources but instead the mediocre and malevolent Chavez is driving his country and people into the ground just like Mugabe has done in Zimbabwe. In this it seems Chavez is the real enemy of Venezuela.

Hardtruth, London, England

Seen it before haven't we..... a left wing government comes into power (in Venezuela) promising freedom and equality for all.....utopia.....blame America for all our ills etc....

Then the shelves become empty - freedoms are NOT appearing - oppression increases -- life is getting worse. SOLUTION --- divert their attention with a bit of sabre rattling. Just another tin pot, left wing twerp -- the kind that have always caused misery. Why DO people vote for them

Phil, Preston,

Seen it before haven't we..... a left wing government comes into power (in Venezuela) promising freedom and equality for all.....utopia.....blame America for all our ills etc....

Then the shelves become empty - freedoms are NOT appearing - oppression increases -- life is getting worse. SOLUTION --- divert their attention with a bit of sabre rattling. Just another tin pot, left wing twerp -- the kind that have always caused misery. Why DO people vote for them.

Another failed state -- left wing of course

Phil, Preston,

So 1970's retro now extends to Latin American politics

Hasn't anyone told these guys Marx is dead?

Peter, London,

This smells of a set up by the US to start a regional war. Colombia "a key US regional ally" or lackey in layman terms, will ask US for assistance, giving US excuse to intervene on its behalf, taking out Chavez in the process.

Very simple solution ...

A. Khan, London, UK

I think is not only the fact that there is a war between two South American countries, maybe we don't care because we are far from there, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter if the war is in China or in Venezuela, it affects billions of people, war generates death.

I'm from Venezuela and there are so many nice people that are against Chavez's government that shoudn't face the upcoming days. But what else can I say? many people here think something like; What's the big deal? So Chavez moved 6 battalions to the border. There were more people at my daughters high school basketball game tonight.

DANIEL LOSADA, READING, Berkshire

Chavez is a clown, unfortunately he is a clown with oil.

rudy, london,

"El Supremo" Chavez postures and blusters more than a peacock defending his harem. And just like a peacock there is no bite to his bark.

The Venezuelan Army need not be reminded that they are nothing but a typical parade-ground South American armed mob. In the meantime the Colombian National Army is a highly experienced force with a large cadre of long-serving professionals.....backed from beyond the horizon by the hard-hitting U.S. armed forces.

We can all rest assure that after a few days of blustering and bombastic talk from El Senor Chavez, cooler heads will convince him to pipe down and return to his barracks office.

Cuban Pete, Washington, DC, USA

Whats the big deal? So Chavez moved 6 battalions to the border. There were more people at my daughters high school basketball game tonight.

And has anybody studied a map of that area? If the two sides could even find each other there they'd be very lucky. Its nothing but a petty dictator trying to divert attention from his own failed policies.

And like most South American dictators...he'll fall by the wayside. Just another footnote in South Americas long history of the same.

Murph, Madisonville, KY/USA

If their borders are so sacred and inviolable, why do the presidents of Venezuela and Ecuador allow Colombia guerilla's to operate freely within them?

Since Venezuela and Ecuador have already been invaded by the Colombian guerilla movements, perhaps rather than declaring war against Colombia it might be better to deal with the forces of Colombian guerillas currently operating from bases within their frontiers

Dave, London, UK

Chris, sorry if I am rude but this senseless thing you wrote can´t go unquestioned. "How can people call the FARC terrorists? They're a group of freedom fighters trying to get rid of their corrupt government." I don't know where you are getting your information from, or if you just don't bother for actual facts. I think it is irresponsible, not to say insensitive, to post such comments on a light-headed basis. People in my country have suffered dearly for more than 40 years now the horrid violence of this monsters that kill people on a daily basis, displaces entire families from their homes, and keeps 800+ people chained in the jungle for more than 6 years. Please, if you don't know, inform yourself, or at least refrain from posting. This is not a movie of some romantic freedom fighter, this is a real conflict with inhuman consequences; people are dying here, the least you can do is have some respect.

Santiago, Bogota, Colombia

Chavez thumps the drums to a war he has no part in, other than the one he assumes. Ecuador may be offended at the territorial transgression, but were the original sinners (harboring FARC leadership), and probably do not feel threatened with a massive Colombian invasion. Machismo and loss of face play their part for Ecuador, but what of Venezuela? No, this is all Chavez. I think he is probably trying to "wag the dog" and distract his disaffected public.

Geoffrey Tudor, Sequim, WA, USA

Give 'em hell, Chavez!!!

If the US intervenes in this and supports Columbia I will no longer consider myself an American. We need to let these countries battle it out if it comes to that, we need non-interventionism. Just because we have interest in Venezuela's oil doesn't mean we should be sticking our noses somewhere it doesn't belong.

How can people call the FARC terrorists? They're a group of freedom fighters trying to get rid of their corrupt government.

Chris, Canton, Ohio,

I would hope the US Military would back up Colombia militarily if war breaks out. At least give them air support if nothing else.

Bryan, Houston, USA

How would the US, the UK or the Ukraine feel if another country bombed inside your country without forewarning?
The official explanation was that the Colombians pursued the rebels into Ecuador during a fight, which later proved to be untrue.

And to The Times: Is the following fact or conjecture?

" Rafael Correa, ...initially reacted calmly to news of Colombia's military operation... But he sharply stepped up his rhetoric after consultations with Mr Chávez,."

It seems Correa 'stepped up rhetoric' after he realized Uribe had lied to him which was before he spoke with Chavez. It was Correa who informed Chavez no pursuit had occurred, not the other way around.

Ties to Correa? The world knew Correa was trying to assist in getting additional hostages released, so why is communication surprising?

As for Colombia, find the Dodd/Feingold letter to Rice (Feb. 7, 08) re concern about UN reports that essentially say the Colombian army kills more of its own citizens than anyone else.

Leslie T., Cuenca, Ecuador

It seems Chavez is the master of Correa! Ecuador need to explain what was FARC doing on its territory. Ecuador is sending the army to the border with Colombia for its killing of a member of a terrorist group yet did nothing to stop FARC from attacking its neighbour. CHavez is looking for a way to save his own skin apparently, his rhetoric is getting more & more childish.

S heath, CAIRO, egypt

Rocao, ecuador
Sure Colombia made a mistake BUT in the end, they were after a colombian terrorist who was inside your borders with the knowledge of your government that apparently were sheltering FARC. US would not attack the UK if al qaeda cells were there simply because the UK arrests them & does not give them refuge like your country did.

S heath, CAIRO, egypt

For several years Colombian authorities have denounced the presence of FARC terrorists in Ecuador. The government of Ecuador always rejected these claims, and sent diplomatic notes of protest to Colombia because of the allegations of the Colombian authorities. Now, documents that prove the good relationships between the FARC and the government of Ecuador have appeared. This has outraged the Ecuadorean authorities. It is surprising to see how the Ecuadorean authorities can protect a terrorist organisation that one month ago was overwhelmingly rejected by more than 10 million Colombians who pacifically marched against it. Reyes, the man killed by the Colombian authorities, is a well known criminal who has been condemned 14 times by independent judges for crimes such as murder, kidnapping children and sex trafficking of girls. Reyes has more than 100 judicial processes against him.

Arcesio, Barranquilla, Colombia

I find this information misleading to european audience. I come from Chile, and have been living in Ecuador for little time, and telling people that President Correa has moved ecuatorian troops after talking to Chavez is a big assumption.
Correa spoke out loud once he got his report from his own troops, confirming that colombians had not only croosed into Ecuador for 10 km., but had attacked ecuadorian territory (Ok, i understand that FARC was there, but i´d like to see what anyone of us would do if the US attacked UK territory becouse you hade Al Kaeda cells...)
FARC is a terrorist group and Colombians should every thing that is in their hands to stop them. But that doesn´t give them the right to attack ecuadorian territory. There are diplomatic ways to lead with this kind of issues.
President Correa not only spoke to Chavez, he received phone calls from he presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, México, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru AND venezuela.

Rocío, Gayaquil, Ecuador

indeed vulgar and unconstructive. How about discribing the great historical relationships and links that tie this sister nations?

alejandro, Colombia, Colombia

The Hawks in Washington must be praying the Chavez makes a mistep here, so that they can wipe him out via a proxy war.

Chavez is all talk, of course, and this will end in a silent back down when the money runs out in Venezuela and they can no longer afford this phoney war talk.

M, London,

President Correa should be ashamed to tell people that terrorists and drug runners are able to sleep safely in pyjamas in his country.
Columbia has had to struggle against years of terror and drug peddling war-lords. All Chavez can do is try to make deals with the terrorists.
Lets hope that Chavez is humiliated by the Columbians and then has to face his own people.

Richard, Kiev, Ukraine

Is it not a bit vulgar to end the article with a "top trumps" of the countries' milltary?

Kieran, St Andrews,