Venezuela recalls ambassador to Colombia

CARACAS, Venezuela, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Venezuela recalled its ambassador to Colombia Tuesday amid an ongoing spat between the Latin American neighbors over Colombia's leading rebel group.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called Colombia a "pawn" of the United States after Colombian President Alvaro Uribe last week revoked his permission to allow Chavez to broker hostage negotiations with Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

The leftist Venezuelan leader has been involved in trying to secure the release of FARC hostages, including a former Colombian presidential candidate.

FARC rebels have been fighting the Colombian government forces for more than 40 years.