Venezuelan National Guard troops have seized a shipment of 1.4 metric tons (1.5 tons) of cocaine stashed in a compartment in a cargo truck.

Venezuela and Ecuador have punished Colombia for killing a rebel leader in the Ecuadorian jungle by expelling its diplomats, ordering troops to the border and cracking down on trade.

More than 100,000 people flooded the streets of Caracas yesterday to oppose a referendum that would eliminate term limits for President Hugo Chavez and help him establish a socialist state in Venezuela.