The US today accused three members of anti-American Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez's inner circle of aiding Colombian rebels by supplying arms and helping drug traffickers. Washington also expelled Mr Chavez's ambassador as a diplomatic clash intensified

Four gunmen who seized 52 hostages inside a Venezuelan bank have given themselves up on a roadside after a chase.

Latin American leaders today reacted furiously at the instalment of Pedro Carmona as Venezuela’s interim leader following a huge military revolt, calling the new government illegitimate.