Caracas, July 26 (DPA) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has severely criticised a proposed Colombian deal that would allow the US access to military bases.

The US will use Colombia as a base to threaten other countries in the region, Chavez said in a speech to the Venezuelan parliament. Earlier, Chavez had said the deal would force him to review Venezuela's relations with Colombia.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe last week defended negotiations that would allow the US use of three military bases in Colombia in the fight against drug trafficking and terrorism.

The proposed deal has sparked controversy in Colombia, although the government stressed that it did not imply the installation of US military bases on its soil or that Colombia would be used by Washington as a platform for potential attacks in the region.