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Venezuela urges Colombia to fulfill obligations amid border crisis

Xinhua, September 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

Venezuelan authorities on Thursday urged Colombia to fulfill its socioeconomic obligations along the common border, amid a border crisis.

Speaking at a human rights forum in Caracas, Venezuelan Vice President Jorge Arreaza said that Bogota must fulfill its obligations regarding education, healthcare, food assistance and other social duties to its citizens who have "fled" the ongoing violence and poverty in the neighboring country.

A crisis between Venezuela and Colombia erupted on Aug. 19 when three Venezuelan army officers were wounded by suspected paramilitary gunmen operating in Colombia, leading to the closure of a major border crossing with Colombia in Venezuela's western state of Tachira.

Arreaza added that a meeting between President Nicolas Maduro and his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos to be held in Ecuador on Sept. 21 should mark the beginning of a new policy by both countries.

"President Maduro will ask Santos to enforce the law on his side of the border along with greater police and military presence to fight off paramilitary groups as well as food and gasoline smugglers," he said.

Arreaza also demanded that Colombian authorities repeal laws "attacking" the Venezuelan currency and promoting illegal activities.

"We need a new border and the closure determined by President Maduro will not be lifted until peace and legality are restored in the area," he stated.

Earlier this week, Maduro ordered the closure of the border in 10 new municipalities leaving the southwestern state of Amazonas as the only region to have an open crossing with Colombia.

Venezuela has also deported nearly 1,100 Colombians since the border closure, with another 5,000 leaving voluntarily, followed by announcements by both countries late Thursday to recall their respective ambassadors.

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