Venezuela declares state of emergency along border with Colombia

(Baonghean.vn) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on August 21 declared a state of emergency along areas on the border with Colombia to restore order after a clash between smugglers and the military left three soldiers injured.

Venezuelan National Guardsmen stand guard opposite Colombian soldiers at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge, the border area between the two countries in Tachira state, Venezuela on August 20. Photo: Reuters.

The measure will take effect for the next 60 days in five municipalities in Venezuela's Tachira state, where smugglers of gasoline and subsidized food products have increasingly clashed with authorities.

“This decree gives military and civilian authorities additional powers to restore calm,” President Nicolas Maduro said in a national television broadcast.

The decree suspends constitutional guarantees in these areas, except those related to human rights.

Maduro closed two border crossings to Colombia on Aug. 19 after a shootout left three soldiers wounded. He added that the crossings would remain closed until further notice, and that 1,500 soldiers were sent to the border area on Aug. 21 to reinforce the 500 soldiers currently stationed there.

Venezuela and Colombia share a border of more than 2,200 km, which is a frequent crossing point for smuggling criminals and illegal armed organizations.

Thu Giang

(According to Reuters)