Venezuela Securing Colombia Border

Venezuela announced reinforcement of its military presence in Zulia state on the border with Colombia, as part of an agenda implemented on Tuesday to improve security.

Military sources indicated that the First Infantry and Military Garrison Division in Maracaibo are due to activate as of Wednesday the 12th Infantry Brigade, which has three battalions and its operation center will be in Machiques de Perija municipality.

General Juan Vicente Paredes told press that some 2,000 soldiers will secure all the Zulia territory and particularly support agricultural producers and farmers, victims of outrages by Colombian paramilitary groups.

The deployment is part of a plan revealed this month by Defense Minister General-in-Chief Raul Baduel, to reinforce military control along the border with Colombia, with the deployment of some 15,000 soldiers.

Baduel stated that the operation will ensure security in a zone mainly affected by illegal armed groups, drug traffickers and criminals.