Venezuela "will freeze" ties with Colombia: Chavez

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela will withdraw its ambassador from Colombia and freeze relations with its Andean neighbor, President Hugo Chavez said on Tuesday.

"I've ordered to withdraw our ambassador from Bogota, to withdraw our diplomatic personnel," the Venezuelan leader said on a televised meeting with his closest aides.

"We will freeze relations with Colombia," he added.

There was no immediate comment from the Colombian government on Chavez's statement.

The announcement came a day after Colombia said weapons bought by Venezuela in Sweden had made their way to FARC rebels. In recent days, Chavez has complained about actions by Colombia including plans to deploy more U.S. troops to help fight drug traffickers there.

Venezuela will also substitute imports from Colombia, Chavez said.

(Reporting by Raymond Colitt; additional reporting by Hugh Bronstein in Bogota; editing by Mohammad Zargham)