Nov. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez last night denied he had called for war with Colombia and said his comments to make preparations were defensive, Caracol Radio reported.

Chavez criticized Colombia’s decision to allow the U.S. to use seven military and air bases inside the Andean nation and said his comments on Nov. 8 were aimed at preparing his armed forces to defend the nation from attacks from the seven bases, Caracol cited Chavez as saying yesterday in Caracas.

To contact the reporter on this story: Helen Murphy in Bogota at Hmurphy1@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 11, 2009 07:31 EST