March 18 (Bloomberg) -- The Organization of American States approved a resolution that ``rejects'' Colombia's attack on a camp of Colombian guerrillas hiding in Ecuador, helping defuse a conflict that roiled the Andes region.

Foreign ministers from across the Americas debated the resolution's wording into the early morning hours today, seeking to ease tension between Colombia and its neighbors, who said a repeat attack would provoke a war.

The agreement is a political win for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez because it focuses only on Colombia without addressing evidence that suggests Chavez supported the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, said Susan Purcell, director of the Center for Hemispheric Policy at the University of Miami. An OAS investigation found the guerrilla camp in Ecuador appeared to be a permanent installation.

``Although it's softer than what could have been used, it basically leaves Colombia as the sole guilty party,'' Purcell said.

The dispute arose after Colombia, the U.S.'s closest ally in Latin America, killed a leader of the country's biggest guerrilla group inside Ecuadorean territory. That prompted Ecuador and Venezuela to send troops to the Colombian border and accuse Colombian President Alvaro Uribe of following orders from the U.S.

`Irregular Groups'

Venezuela's information ministry said yesterday in a statement that the country was leading a group of 12 nations in calling for a ``condemnation'' of Colombia's actions, and that the U.S. and Mexico were against that wording. The resolution falls short of that position and only ``rejects'' the military attack.

The resolution also calls for the OAS to help enhance dialogue and cooperation among the countries involved to improve border security.

Colombia promised to never repeat a similar military incursion in a neighboring country, and all OAS members committed to combat security threats from ``irregular groups,'' especially drug traffickers.

Ecuador, which cut diplomatic ties with Colombia after the incident, decided to reopen its embassy in Bogota, Ecuador's deputy foreign minister Edgar Egas told reporters today in Quito.

``Diplomatic relations, we expect, will be reestablished as soon as possible,'' he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Matthew Walter in Caracas at mwalter4@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: March 18, 2008 17:48 EDT