SoldiersVenezuela on duty in La Fria, Tachira state, bordering Colombia on August 31. (Source: AFP/TTXVN)

Venezuelan security forces have arrested 32 suspected drug smugglers in raids in the western state of Tachira, bordering Colombia, more than a week after the country closed border crossings in several towns in the state to restore order.

Responding to the press on September 1, President of the Venezuelan National Assembly Diosdado Cabello said these subjects were accused of leading smuggling rings of goods, mainly essential goods, affecting Venezuela's already struggling economy.

The country's intelligence forces tracked and ambushed, capturing the leaders.

On the same day, Vice President of the Permanent Committee on Foreign Policy, Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Mr. Saul Ortega, criticized the Colombian government's uncooperative attitude in resolving tensions at the common border area.

Specifically, he said that since the time of the late President Hugo Chavez, the two countries have agreed to promote border economies and implement programs to develop border-linked areas to control commercial activities there and prevent smuggling. However, in reality, the current Colombian government has not cooperated to promote these programs.

In addition, on the Colombian territory bordering Venezuela, there are more than 3,000 currency exchange points, established by government decree in 2000.

According to Caracas, these points are essentially aimed at influencing the value of Venezuela's bolivar currency and are linked to Colombian paramilitary forces seeking to infiltrate and damage the Venezuelan economy.

The Colombia-Venezuela border area became tense after three soldiers of the Venezuelan National Guard were attacked by paramilitary elements in Cucuta, Tachira state.

Immediately, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared a state of emergency in six towns and ordered the border closure in many towns in Tachira. In addition, Caracas also deployed about 3,000 soldiers to ensure order in this area.

According to President Maduro, these measures aim to eradicate paramilitary groups operating illegally on Venezuelan territory, and at the same time prevent the smuggling of essential goods from Venezuela to Colombia such as food, medicine and gasoline./.

According to VN+