41.   But on Tuesday, Chavez issued his strongest condemnation of Colombian rebels to date.

42.   Chavez has allowed Colombian rebel leaders to travel and meet in Venezuela.

43.   Chavez has denied having sympathies or direct ties to Colombian rebels, who have used the porous border region between the two countries as a refuge.

44.   Chavez has often been accused of being sympathetic to Colombian rebels.

45.   Chavez also has offered refuge to any Colombian rebels who lay down their arms.

46.   Colombian rebels block major highways, kidnap commuters, attack electric tower.

47.   Colombian rebels routinely kidnap motorists for ransom.

48.   Chavez denies he supports Colombian rebels.

49.   Colombian rebel leaders and government officials met twice in February in Venezuela to try to advance stalled peace talks.

50.   Colombian rebels attacked a Venezuelan border outpust early Sunday, killing eight soldiers and wounding four.