Colombia: Pressure Along Two Borders

Tensions are ramping up as Venezuela and Ecuador seek to move troops to their borders with Colombia in response to a Colombian raid into Ecuador targeting members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has escalated the situation to gain leverage over Colombia along with more influence in the region, but he is walking a very fine line. Chavez cannot afford to confront Colombia militarily and will lose a great deal of credibility if he comes down too far on the side of the FARC.