Content：Twelve South American leaders met for a day of tense discussions in Argentina following political instability in the region.

The presidents have been at loggerheads over an agreement which would allow the United States to use military bases in Colombia to help fight drug trafficking.

Colombia's president, Alvaro Uribe, tried his best to convince the summit that the intentions behind the agreement are innocent, but Venezuela's leader, Hugo Chavez, has said the plan is suspicious and he questioned the U.S.'s motives.

Chavez insists the use of the military bases is a threat to the region and that it would plant seeds of war.

During remarks at the end of the summit, it seemed Chavez had succeeded in convincing others of his scepticism.

After studying a document outlining the U.S.-Colombia plan, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa announced the summit's next move.

[Rafael Correa, Ecuadorian President]:
"This document says some very serious things, for example, that the U.S. may utilize the bases not just for anti-drug operations but for mobilizations. This could imply anything, including interventions in third-party countries. We have to coordinate our Security Council and analyze the technicalities of this document, basing on our defense. Then we'll decide whether it's necessary to speak with President Barack Obama."

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said she too found it hard to believe that some of the bases would be used only for small military
operations.

[Cristina Fernandez, Argentine President]:
"No one could think that a C-17 or an F-16 in the Palanquero runway, which is the same length as the Buenos Aires international airport's runway, be used to fight narcotraffickers, guerrillas or terrorists. Other military
uses require those kinds of dimensions."

About 260 U.S. military officials are currently in Colombia.

The new deal would bring that number to a maximum of 800.