The region was brought to the verge of armed conflict at the start of this month when U.S.-ally Colombia bombed a rebel camp in Ecuador, killing 24 fighters. Venezuela and Ecuador then sent thousands of troops to the Colombian border, but a peace deal was soon reached.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Recife, northeast Brazil, Chavez said a Latin American security alliance would allow the region to defend itself from "imperialism, neoliberals and preemptive military action," in a clear reference to the United States.
Chavez has branded Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe, the United States' main ally in South America, "Washington's poodle".
Since Colombia's raid, Ecuador and Venezuela have withdrawn their ambassadors from Bogota, and most South American countries have sided with Ecuador in condemning the bombing, aimed at FARC rebels, as a violation of the country's sovereignty.
Chavez said a military alliance between Latin American states, to add to economic and political ties, would fulfill the dream of Simon Bolivar, who led Venezuela's drive for independence from Spain in the early 19th century, and was also instrumental in liberating four other South American countries.
Chavez and Lula Da Silva's meeting in Recife was also focused on building an oil refinery in the city. However, the left-wing allies failed to reach a specific agreement on the refinery.
