The Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) "could have sought sanctuary in Venezuela," said on Monday US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, who urged Colombia's neighbours to help in order to prevent the rebel group from taking refuge in their territories.

"I think there is no doubt that some members of FARC have sought a sanctuary in Venezuelan soil" coming from Colombia, said Negroponte in a press conference held in Medellín, Colombia, where the 38th meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) is taking place.

Negroponte also made a call to "those who can do something about this (FARC attempts to take refuge in third countries)" to help Colombia thinking in the "long term" in bilateral relations, reported AFP.

The US high-ranking official was answering a question on Bogotá´s accusations about Venezuela's alleged links with the FARC, an organization classified as terrorist by the United States.