Bogota  - Seven Colombian soldiers were killed Wednesday in a clash with leftist rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the northeastern Perija mountains, on the Venezuelan border.

"Unfortunately seven military officers were murdered. We deeply regret it and we are investigating exactly what happened to these military officers," said Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos.

Army reinforcements were sent to the site of the clash, in the town of Villanueva, Santos said.

Colombian media reports said the rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) escaped to Venezuelan territory following the clash with the military.

FARC have been fighting Colombian authorities for over 40 years. The rebel group has reportedly been weakened considerably by military activity in recent decades. However, there is no end in sight for the drawn-out conflict. (dpa)