Colombia condemns Venezuelan airspace violation

Venezuela has received a formal protest from Colombia after one of its military helicopters crossed the border near a military base.



The helicopter is said to have spent twenty minutes in Colombian airspace above the city of Arauca, where the military\'s most important border installations are situated.



Colombia\'s Defence Minister, Gabriel Silva has condemned the action, but said the country’s security forces had not responded to the provocation.



The BBC correspondent in Colombia said tensions have increased since the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, told Venezuelans last year to prepare for war.