Colombian slain in border gunfight

Venezuelan troops killed a Colombian “subversive” in a gun battle on the border, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said, an incident that could fuel new tensions between the two countries.

The South American neighbors have engaged in a war of words in recent months, with Venezuela accusing Colombia of trying to spark war and sending troops into its territory.

Chavez said the Venezuelan army exchanged gunfire with armed “subversives” near the border, but he did not offer details on where the incident took place or which group was involved.

“They fired at each other and one of the subversive group died,” Chavez said in a televised speech.