FACTBOX-U.S. officials, candidates' views on Andean crisis

(Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush and candidates hoping to replace him in the White House have given broad support for Colombia in its diplomatic and military stand-off with Venezuela and Ecuador.

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, saying they do not want to prejudge the crisis, have called for a high-level diplomatic effort to reduce tensions in the Andean region.

The crisis erupted on Saturday when Colombian forces killed a leading leftist rebel inside neighbouring Ecuador. Ecuador and its leftist ally Venezuela responded by cutting diplomatic ties with U.S.-backed Colombia and moving troops to their borders.

Following are comments on the South American crisis from Bush, U.S. presidential candidates and members of Congress:

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

In a statement after speaking to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe by phone:

"We firmly oppose any acts of aggression that could destabilize the region. I told him that America will continue to stand with Colombia as it confronts violence and terror and fights drug traffickers."

Bush also called on Congress to enact a bilateral free trade agreement with Colombia as a demonstration of U.S. support: "If we fail to approve this agreement, we will let down our close ally, we will damage our credibility in the region and we will embolden the demagogues in our hemisphere."

NEW YORK SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL