According to Colombian authorities, the FANB would have violated the border limit in the sector corresponding to the Vereda Francisco de Paula Santander, La Gabarra, in the municipality of Tibú, in the department of Norte de Santander.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Venezuelan government categorically denied these accusations, after carrying out the corresponding verifications.

The Bolivarian Executive informed that as part of Operation Lightning Catatumbo 2022, developed in the municipality José María Semprún of the northwestern state of Zulia, the FANB carried out anti-drug actions on April 26, aimed at destroying illicit crops and drug processing laboratories.

According to Caracas, such military operations were carried out in view of the absence of the Colombian public forces on its borders.

“Venezuela ratifies its willingness to provide integral defense of its territory according to International Law, and rejects Colombian Government’s continuous practice of False Positives”, the Bolivarian Government underlined.

Likewise, it reiterated its willingness to defend national sovereignty and independence against threats of any nature or origin.

mh/jha/wup