BBC News with Gaenor Howells.
Venezuela has ordered Colombian diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours. The Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez had earlier announced he was breaking off relations over accusations that his government was harboring left-wing Colombian rebels. At a meeting of the Organization of American States in Washington, Colombia presented videos, maps and photos to prove that Farc and ELN rebels have bases in Venezuela. Mr Chávez blamed Colombian President Alvaro Uribe who’s leaving office next month for the deterioration of relations.
“I blame President Uribe who's sick with hatred, because he's going into the dustbin of history, he’s going straight there, a pawn of the Yankee empire. He ended up isolated in the continent, he didn't defeat the guerrillas or the drug traffickers, and Venezuela is a victim of all this.”
The International Court of Justice in The Hague has ruled that Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia did not violate international law. The ruling, backed by 10 judges with 4 against, was announced by the president of the court, Hisashi Owada.
“The court considers that general international law contains no applicable prohibition of declaration of independence. Accordingly, it concludes that the declaration of independence of the 17th of February 2008 did not violate general international law.”
Although not legally binding, the ruling could have implications for separatist movements around the world. It’s expected to lead to a renewed push by Kosovo for further international recognition. The president of Serbia, Boris Tadi, speaking after the court decision, said his country would never accept what he called "the unilaterally proclaimed independence" of Kosovo. Mr Tadi said his government would carefully analyze and consider the situation in the days to come.