Chavez Severs Contacts With Colombia

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Chavez said yesterday he was cutting off all contacts with the Colombian government but left it unclear whether he was announcing an end to diplomatic relations between the two countries. Mr. Chavez's announcement came after a series of sharp exchanges with President Uribe set off when the Colombian leader last week abruptly ended the Venezuelan's mediation between Colombia's government and leftist rebels.

"While President Uribe is president of Colombia, I will have no type of relationship with him or with the government in Colombia," Mr. Chavez said.