The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US troops triggered the retreat of Colombian guerrillas from Venezuela. Local authorities warn of security threats at the border.
- Colombian rebel groups have reportedly abandoned their bases in Venezuela.
The commanders of the Colombian guerillas allegedly still operating in Venezuela are leaving the country after Saturday’s capture of President Nicolás Maduro by US special forces. A source from the Colombian army said this to the AFP agency on Tuesday, writes TASR.
Colombia has long suspected leaders of rebel groups, such as the National Liberation Army (ELN) or splinter factions of the disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), of being in Venezuela. These groups control the smuggling routes for the cocaine trade along the common border.
Guerrillas under Maduro’s protection
According to the AFP agency, security experts claim that the ELN had its bases on the territory of Venezuela, which the Maduro regime tolerated. An anonymous source from within the Colombian army told a French agency on Tuesday that after the US attacks in Caracas, they have reports of efforts by some rebel leaders to return to their homeland.
According to the Colombian Ministry of Defense, the presence of guerrilla leaders in the border area after the capture of Maduro represents a threat to the country’s national security. Following his transfer to New York, Bogota issued a warning of possible attacks and deployed thousands of soldiers along the more than 2,200-kilometer border.
Trump versus Petro
In recent days, US President Donald Trump has called Colombian President Gustavo Petro a drug lord and told him to “be careful”, without providing any evidence. In response, Petro said that he is willing to take up arms for his country.
