Venezuela Says Colombian Imports Not Essential

Hugo Chavez said Venezuela does not need imports from Colombia.

OPEC-member Venezuela does not need imports from one of its biggest trade partners, Colombia, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday as he ratcheted up a diplomatic dispute with the neighboring country.

Despite hiccups in the food supply chain in his socialist nation, Chavez said Venezuela could survive a loss of trade with Colombia.

"Colombian imports are not essential for us," he said. "Not at all, we can get food products, goods and services in any part of the world."

Chavez earlier said he was reviewing diplomatic, economic and political ties with Colombia, reheating a crisis that raised the specter of war in the Andean region in March.

The outspoken president is angry at an Interpol report presented on Thursday that Bogota says proves he has supported guerrillas.