Venezuela announces deployment of thousands of troops to Colombia’s border
(MENAFN) Venezuela announced on Monday that 15,000 troops will be deployed to its western Zulia and Tachira states along the Colombian border.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the operation aims to "ensure peace" and target criminal groups, employing aviation, drones, and a "riverine deployment" to safeguard the region.
The deployment comes amid heightened tensions, including the US doubling the reward for information leading to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro to $50 million and sending military forces to the Caribbean.
Cabello called on Colombian authorities to "do their part" in removing anyone attempting criminal activities in the border area. "Anyone who has relations with criminals, with criminal gangs, should assume their responsibility, and we will assume ours," he warned.
He added, "If our people can be sure of anything, it's that we will make every effort in that area, and the 15,000 men will have the full support of the police forces. This is a joint effort, a team effort. I assure you that right now, there are operations, and we are destroying some (criminal) camps."
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez rejected US claims that Venezuelan forces are assisting Colombian guerrillas in cocaine trafficking, responding to statements by the US Drug Enforcement Administration alleging Venezuela’s involvement in supplying Mexican cartels with cocaine destined for the US.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
