Venezuela maintains operations on border with Colombia
Venezuela maintains operations on border with Colombia
Caracas, Apr 10 (Prensa Latina) Venezuela s armed forces are stationed along the border with Colombia, as part of the Bolivarian Shield military operation, during which rapid-action troops were deployed. After the attacks by irregular Colombian armed groups in La Victoria town on March 21, the Strategic Operations Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (CEOFANB) deployed its troops in the state of Apure, and strengthened surveillance in all territories bordering Colombia.
As part of the containment actions, the military high command activated a special comprehensive defense operation zone that covers three municipalities and more than 700 kilometers of bordering line, commanded by Major General Javier Benitez Marcano.
Thousands of displaced Venezuelans have crossed into Colombia to escape the conflict in recent weeks. (Photo: EFE)
Venezuela s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Monday reported eight soldiers had died fighting a group of “terrorists” on the Colombian border. But after three weeks of clashes and 17 deaths, “the region is returning to normal.”
”So far there have been nine casualties from these terrorist groups and, unfortunately, we have suffered the loss of eight colleagues from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB),” Padrino said regarding clashes that began last 21 March in the Colombian-bordering state of Apure.
The Venezuelan forces had sustained four casualties up to last Sunday, it was reported. Information on these matters has been very scarce and it remains to be clear who the group Padrino referred to as terrorists really are, although Venezuelan authorities have released pictures of seized uniforms bearing the logos and acronyms of th