with friendly countries in Africa and the region, and ALBA-TCP’s

rejection of Israel’s aggressions against the Palestinian people,

stood out in the week that closes here today.

The meeting of the Ministers of Defense of the Bolivarian Republic,

Vladimir Padrino, and of Colombia, Ivan Velazquez, ratified the will

of the governments of Nicolas Maduro and Gustavo Petro, respectively,

to advance in the consolidation of the reestablished diplomatic

relations.

Padrino and Velazquez signed a joint declaration on strategic areas of

cooperation in security matters, such as the increase of the Armed

Forces in the informal border crossings to tackle smuggling.

The document also recognizes the progress made through the

Bolivarian Shield Strategic Operation and the establishment of direct

communication channels between the commanders of the Bolivarian

National Armed Forces and the Colombian Police and Military Forces, in

order to exchange and strengthen intelligence information.

In declarations after the signing that took place at the Bolivarian

Ministry of Defense, the Colombian Minister stated that they are

moving forward with “quite certainty and firmness” in the

strengthening of these bilateral relations.

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