A Venezuelan military helicopter crashed while patrolling the border with Colombia on Monday, killing at least 18 people, President Hugo Chavez said.

Those killed included General Domingo Faneite, 16 soldiers of varying ranks and a civilian, Chavez said in his weekly radio and television program "Hello Mr President."

"I pay tribute to these soldiers of the homeland, especially general Faneite, who was my cadet," said Chavez, a retired Army lieutenant colonel.