Venezuela refutes Colombian airspace violation allegation

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez on Tuesday slammed Colombia's allegations that its military aircraft entered Colombian airspace without authorization.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos made the allegation on Sunday.

Colombia is trying to avoid a direct dialogue between the presidents of both countries to solve the border crisis, Rodriguez said.

"We know with absolute certainty that this accusation is made up of false assumptions and we have asked for evidence to be presented," she said.

Rodriguez said the Colombian authorities have so far failed to present any evidence.

She also urged Colombia accept Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's invitation to hold a meeting with Santos to solve the rampant crimes that have led to the border crisis.

The border between the two countries was closed last month and a state of emergency was decreed in 13 municipalities on the border areas in Venezuela.

Maduro has proposed a high-level meeting with Colombia to establish agreements and coordinate strategies which allow a new control system to be implemented in the border regions.

Such efforts would contribute to reducing crimes such as paramilitary groups, drug-trafficking and smuggling, Maduro said. Endit