Eight Venezuelan soldiers killed in clashes on the Colombian border;

Eight Venezuelan soldiers killed in clashes on the Colombian border. On Wednesday, doubling the toll after an offensive against the combatants began in March. According to the defense ministry in Caracas. The names of the soldiers released without further explanation. Two days after the ministry confirmed fierce combat with “irregular Colombian armed forces” that resulted in a “large number” of casualties.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez took to public television to express the government’s condolences to the families of the soldiers. Who described as “fulfilling the oath to protect the homeland to their last breath. Since March 21, Venezuelan armed forces have clashed with Colombian armed groups in the western border state of Apure. Displacing thousands of civilians who have fled to Colombia. According to Caracas, the operation has resulted in many arrests and the discovery of weapons, bombs, and narcotics.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro;

Venezuela does not recognize the militant forces it blames for the unrest. However, intelligence sources in Colombia believe they are possibly dissidents of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebel group. An analysis that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has admitted is plausible. In 2016, the FARC concluded a landmark peace treaty with Bogota. Bringing a half-century of military war to an end. However, some rebels failed to enter the peace talks and have continued their resistance. While still fighting cocaine cartels in Colombia’s lawless regions. 

Since Colombia joined the United States and other countries in accepting opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s president in 2019. Diplomatic ties between the neighboring South American countries have become nonexistent. Bogota has long accused Venezuela of harboring members of the FARC and the militant opposition group ELN on its territory. Maduro said earlier this month that Venezuela would seek “immediate assistance” from the UN to remove anti-personnel mines placed on Venezuelan territory by militant groups.