US presidential pre-candidate Hillary Clinton Monday criticized Venezuela's meddling in the diplomatic crisis between Ecuador and Colombia and urged Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez to stop "provoking actions" in the region.

Chávez ordered sending tanks and 10 battalions to the border with Colombia, following a military operation by Colombia last Saturday in Ecuador where the second man of the rebel Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces Raúl Reyes was killed, reported Reuters.

"Hugo Chávez's order on Sunday to send 10 battalions to the border with Colombia is unjustified and dangerous," said Clinton in a press communiqué.

"Hugo Chávez must stop these provoking actions," added Clinton.

Clinton said that Colombian President Álvaro Uribe's government has "every right" to defend Colombia from "terrorist, drug trafficking organizations that have kidnapped innocent citizen, including US nationals."