Peru cancels army training with US

Peru has called off a joint training exercise with the United States military in the Amazon region saying that it did not want a foreign military base in the country.

Critics of United States policy say Washington would like troops in Peru in case its operations in neighbouring Colombia run into trouble.

Lima's decision comes days after Washington withdrew non-essential diplomats from Venezuela after acknowledging it had discussed with President Hugo Chavez's opponents steps to remove him from office.

The United States says it did not encourage the failed military coup in Venezuela

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service