**Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has urged his armed forces to be prepared for possible war with Colombia amid growing diplomatic and border tensions.**He said the best way to avoid war was to prepare for it. In response, Colombia said it would seek help from the United Nations.
Venezuela blames the tension on closer military ties between Colombia and the United States.
Colombia says US forces are only there to battle rebels and drug traffickers.
Mr Chavez ordered 15,000 troops to the border last week in response to increased violence by Colombian paramilitary groups.