Venezuela confirms eight soldiers killed in fighting on the border with Colombia

The Venezuelan Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino, confirmed this Monday that eight soldiers have died, twice the number known so far, during the fighting in a border area with a group of FARC dissidents, of whom they have died. nine members.

“Up to the present, there have been nine casualties from these terrorist groups and, unfortunately, we have suffered the loss of eight comrades from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB),” said Padrino in an appearance without questions about the fighting that began last 21 March in the state of Apure (bordering Colombia).

The military authorities had confirmed until this Sunday four casualties in their ranks and the “neutralization” of nine “terrorists” without clarifying, until today, if they had died or been arrested.

The information released so far by military or official sources has been very scarce and they have not even clarified which armed group they are facing, despite the fact that they have released photos of seized uniforms bearing the logos and acronyms of the former FARC guerrilla.

Several associations with members in the area have also confirmed that they are FARC dissidents.

Padrino also did not confirm which group the members of the gang they are fighting are part of and that, in addition to the 8 deaths, they have injured 34 soldiers “who have received medical assistance in the military health network,” of which 21 “They have been discharged with all their treatments.”

During the operation, they have deactivated 16 antipersonnel mines installed by the armed group, which, it acknowledged, has affected soldiers and “army ground assets”, in addition to dismantling 6 camps.

ACTIVATE SPECIAL DEFENSE ZONE

Padrino commented that, by order of President Nicolás Maduro, a “special temporary integral defense operational zone” has been activated in the area, which will be commanded by Major General Alejando Javier Benitez Marcano with “a staff of coordination.”

They also activated a comprehensive brigade, called Negro Primero, under the command of General Wilfredo Alexander Medrano, “to whom the necessary military units and equipment will be assigned.”

Likewise, the Defense Minister explained that Maduro “has ordered extraordinary measures”, which include the creation of “a security zone in the municipalities of Páez, Muñoz and Romulo Gallegos”, all of them in Apure and where most of the the battles.

As part of these measures, the FANB’s Operational Strategic Command will design and execute “special public security plans to deal with destabilizing actions” that threaten peace, personal security and “the safeguarding of public and private facilities and assets. “To” guarantee internal order, citizen peace and human rights. “

He also commented that this command, through the Apure integral defense operational zone and jointly with civil, regional and municipal authorities, “in order to safeguard human rights,” will establish restrictions and schedules for transit.

In the same way, they will impose “time restrictions for the operation of public and private places”, in addition to implementing security control measures “to guarantee public services and citizen peace.”

THE MILITARY WILL MAKE INSPECTIONS

Finally, Padrino clarified that the military deployed in the area “will be able to carry out inspection of movable and immovable property in accordance with the laws and regulations in force”, as well as “evict illegal occupations of public property that affect the security and defense of the nation.” .

He also warned that the military units “will intervene to reestablish free movement in urban or rural areas in case it is interrupted”, in addition to launching “other actions that guarantee free development and peace in the region.”

According to the minister, after three weeks of clashes and 17 deaths, “the region is returning to normal.”