At an isolated community on the lawless southern fringes of the Venezuelan Andes, radical supporters of President Hugo Chávez have gathered to inaugurate a “base for peace”.

“We were here first, and we continue to resist; first against colonialism, and now against Plan Colombia!” they chant in unison. They are protesting against the “gringo bases” across the border, which they say threaten their country as a result of a military deal signed by Colombia and the US recently.