国际英语新闻：Colombia, Venezuela to restore diplomatic ties

Venezuela and Colombia also differ sharply over the status of the rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The Colombian government labels FARC, the leftist guerilla group which has been fighting the government since the 1960s, as a terrorist group.

But Chavez has asked the international community to stop classifying the FARC as terrorists.

Both countries also differ in their attitudes toward the United States.

Bogota, a staunch ally of Washington, infuriated Caracas in July 2009 by signing a pact with the United States that gives the United States military access to seven Colombian bases. Chavez denounced the move as a threat to regional peace.

In the latest development, Chavez threatened to cut off oil supplies to the United States if his country is attacked by U.S.-backed Colombia.