By Phil Gunson McClatchy Newspapers CARACAS, Venezuela -- Tensions between neighbors Venezuela and Colombia could spin out of control following President Hugo Chavez's allegation that Colombia and the United States are plotting a military "provocation" against him, analysts say.

By Carlos Alberto Gonzalez After three years apart, the freed Colombian hostage, the politician Clara Rojas, was at last able to hug her son, fathered by one of her Farc guerrilla captors but taken from her when he was eight months old.

BOGOTA, Colombia _ Just in case the hostages were

By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald Jan. 11--Venezuela's minister of the interior told Colombian guerrillas, "Keep up that strength and count on us," as the rebels freed two long-held hostages, a video of the encounter shows.

By Ian James CARACAS, Venezuela -- Guerrillas clutching rifles marched two captives into a clearing in the Colombian jungle. Everyone was tense. The handover had been repeatedly delayed by logistical hurdles and mistrust, but then Venezuelan helicopters landed to pick up the hostages.