CARACAS, May 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro
warned Wednesday of a possible “military escalation” with neighboring
Colombia after Bogota accused Caracas of sheltering leftist guerrillas on its
territory.
“There is an escalation of statements that could end in a military
escalation on the border,” involving “the criminal forces of Colombia against
Venezuela,” Maduro said in a speech to supporters.
“Everything is part of the plan of US imperialism,” he said.
The televised speech followed a complaint by Colombia on Wednesday over
“repeated provocations” — the most recent of which it claimed involved
around 30 military personnel crossing into its territory.
Colombia said the Venezuelan forces withdrew after it sent a helicopter
with soldiers to the area in response to calls from the local community.
Bogota said in a statement that its military was “ready to defend (its)
territorial integrity, while always maintaining the necessary prudence in the
face of these clear and repeated provocations that aim only to incite a
response to make Colombia look like the aggressor.”
The two countries’ border is 2,200 kilometer (1,400 mile) long, difficult
to access and largely lawless, with armed groups including drug traffickers,
left-wing guerrillas and paramilitaries operating along it.
Caracas broke off diplomatic relations with Bogota in February after
Colombia became one of the more than 50 countries to recognize opposition
leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president.