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03:08 GMT, Saturday, 8 March 2008

In pictures: Latin American crisis

Colombian security forces and forensic scientists with the body of Farc commander Raul Reyes

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The week-long crisis that threatened to plunge Latin America into turmoil began when Colombian troops killed a leading leftist rebel on a raid into Ecuador on Saturday 1 March.

Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos (C) shakes hands with the Armed Forces General Commandant, General Freddy Padilla, at the news conference at which Reyes's death was announced

Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos (C) shakes hands with the Armed Forces General Commandant, General Freddy Padilla, at the news conference at which Reyes's death was announced

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Initially, no diplomatic harm seemed to have been done. Colombia's defence minister described the raid as the "biggest blow so far" to Farc rebels, and congratulated the army.

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa denounces the Colombian cross-border raid in a nationally broadcast speech on Sunday 2 March

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But the following day, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa denounced the operation as "scandalous" and an "aggression", saying he had not been consulted.

A Venezuelan soldier stands in front of a bus decorated with a photograph of President Chavez at a checkpoint in Paraguaipoa, on the border with Colombia, on Thursday

A Venezuelan soldier stands in front of a bus decorated with a photograph of President Chavez at a checkpoint in Paraguaipoa, on the border with Colombia, on Thursday

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In Colombia's fellow neighbour Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez warned that any similar venture on Venezuelan territory would be "cause for war".

Ecuadorean soldiers are deployed to the border with Colombia on Monday

Ecuadorean soldiers are deployed to the border with Colombia on Monday

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The two countries retaliated - first cutting some diplomatic ties, and then announcing thousands of troops were being deployed to their respective borders with Colombia.

Trucks wait in line at a checkpoint in Paraguachon, on the Venezuelan border with Colombia, on Thursday

Trucks wait in line at a checkpoint in Paraguachon, on the Venezuelan border with Colombia, on Thursday

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As the week wore on, the crisis threatened to hit commercial ties. Here, goods destined for Colombia are held at the Venezuelan border under orders from President Chavez.

Colombian police chief Gen Oscar Naranjo at a news conference on Monday, displaying documents which allegedly suggest Venezuelan support for Farc rebels

Colombian police chief Gen Oscar Naranjo at a news conference on Monday, displaying documents which allegedly suggest Venezuelan support for Farc rebels

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Colombia fought back. Documents recovered in the cross-border raid, officials claimed, suggested Ecuador and Venezuela had provided undercover support to Farc rebels.

Colombian envoy to the Organization of American States (OAS) listens to Venezuela's envoy read a statement at an emergency OAS meeting in Washington on Tuesday

Colombian envoy to the Organization of American States (OAS) listens to Venezuela's envoy read a statement at an emergency OAS meeting in Washington on Tuesday

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As tensions spiralled, the UN urged restraint and Washington suggested the matter was blowing out of all proportion. But at a meeting on Tuesday the recriminations continued.

A sign condemns Colombian President Alvaro Uribe with the words "No more" during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday

A sign condemns Colombian President Alvaro Uribe with the words "No more" during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday

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And Colombia's counter-insurgency tactics were denounced in protests on the streets of various Latin American cities.

Colombia's Alvaro Uribe speaks during the Rio Group Summit in Santo Domingo on Friday

Colombia's Alvaro Uribe speaks during the Rio Group Summit in Santo Domingo on Friday

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At a regional summit on Friday, more harsh words were spoken, with Colombia's President Uribe repeating accusations of Ecuadorean support for the Farc.

President Uribe, the Dominican Republic's President Leonel Fernandez, and Venezuela's President Chavez at the Rio Group Summit in Santo Domingo on Friday

President Uribe, the Dominican Republic's President Leonel Fernandez, and Venezuela's President Chavez at the Rio Group Summit in Santo Domingo on Friday

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But finally the region's worst spat in decades subsided. The leaders of Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia shook hands. To delegate applause, the matter was declared "resolved".

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