Caracas - Venezuela's left-wing president Hugo Chavez Friday renewed his charges that the United States and Colombia had sealed a "devil's pact" to wage war against Venezuela to squash his Bolivarian socialism movement.

For the second time in little over a week, Chavez called for his military and the country's militia to prepare for war to protect the sovereignty of Venezuela against the threat posed by the US using Colombian soil.

"I am not calling for war. The party provoking war is the imperial Yankee. It is my duty to call all Venezuelans to prepare for the struggle to defend this fatherland," Chavez said.

At issue is last month's signing of a military cooperation deal between Bogota and Washington granting the US the use of seven military bases on Colombian soil.

In the months leading up to the deal, Latin American leaders sharply worried that the US presence could threaten the sovereignty of neighbouring countries and promote meddling in internal affairs.

Bogota and Washington have insisted that the bases will be used only to combat drug-trafficking and terrorism within Colombia's borders.

"We are obligated to protect the fatherland of Simon Bolivar," Chavez said, referring to the famous hero of the South American independence movement.

Chavez reassured that Venezuela would never attack anyone else, "but we are prepared to defend ourselves, and it will be costly for the aggressor."

Chavez warned that US President Barack Obama was travelling "the same path" as former US president George W Bush. He called Colombian President Alvero Uribe a "traitor" who has signed over Colombian sovereignty to the "imperial" power of the US.

Colombia and the US signed the pact in late October. The agreement allows for a maximum of 800 US military personnel and 600 contractors in Colombia. Prior to the deal, there were anywhere from 71 to 210 US military officers in Colombia.

Venezuela recently announced plans for a civilian nuclear programme and intends to buy 2.2-billion-dollars in tanks and missiles from Russia. Chavez says the new arms were intended only for defensive purposes. (dpa)