Colombia moves to calm tensions with Venezuela

* Colombia says to deport four Venezuelan national guards

* Uribe sends the four home with message of "affection"

* Good neighbor gesture contrasts with Chavez war talk

By Hugh Bronstein

BOGOTA, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Colombia captured four members of the Venezuelan National Guard on Colombian soil and said on Saturday it would send them home in a bid to lower diplomatic tensions between the neighboring countries.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez last week ordered his army to prepare for war, warning that a new U.S.-Colombia military cooperation agreement could set the stage for an invasion of Venezuela. Bogota and Washington dismiss the claim, saying their pact is aimed at fighting drug-runners and rebels in Colombia.

"They should carry back the message that here there is brotherly affection for Venezuela and that affection is unbreakable," said Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, referring to the four Venezuelans captured on Friday.

The long-simmering spat between conservative Uribe and leftist Chavez has reduced bi-lateral trade, which amounted to more than $7 billion last year, and increased tension along a border already beset by the smuggling of drugs and other contraband. But analysts are not predicting war.

The Colombian government issued a statement calling for the release of an officer of its DAS intelligence service being held in Venezuela. Chavez has also accused Colombia of spying.