Reutersis reporting that Venezuelan military personnel have shut down the border with Colombia near the town of Tachira. According to estimates found on the El Universal website, the border shutdown has already cost the region over $4 million (USD) and tensions are continuing to escalate.
According to Venezuelan Vice-President Ramón Carrizález, the two Venezuelan National Guard troops killed on Monday were executed by Colombian paramilitary militia seeking to gain a foothold inVenezuela. Carrizález claims that the murders are part of a larger and more sinister plan.
This forms part of a destabilization plan that we have been reporting for some time now. President Chávez and other top officials have been advised of this issue and it has been minimized by members of the sick opposition in our country. These murders are intended to intimidate the Bolivarian National Guard.
The argument can be made that Leftist Colombian paramilitaries that make their money through the drug trade would have an interest in escalating tensions between Colombia and Venezuela. This would provide breathing room from the Colombian government and ensure that the incoming US forces are at least preoccupied by the situation with Venezuela. Either way, the addition of more US troops to the region is not likely to deescalate the situation. Yet another addition to the Frontier Wars.
Recent Comments