If Hugo Chávez has his way it will be all smiles, back-slapping and bear hugs when he meets his pro-US Colombian counterpart, Álvaro Uribe, for talks, as expected, later this month.

Following the spectacular rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other high-profile hostages last week from the hands of the Farc, Colombia's leftwing guerrilla movement, the Venezuelan lead-er said his country too was celebrating. "I called Uribe last night and congratulated him. We are even happier because not one drop of blood was spilled."