Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Monday accepted the offered by Brazil and Argentina to mediate in a dialogue between him and his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos to discuss and resolve the border issue.
“I have accepted the mediation of the governments of Brazil and Argentina, who traveled to Jamaica and proposed to me a reunion either in Manaos (Brazil) or Buenos Aires (Argentina),” the head of state said.
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Previously, the Uruguayan government had also offered to mediate in the crisis between Venezuela and Colombia.
“I accept all the help need to resolve the issue,” Maduro said. “Let's take this step forward, is time for courage, bravery and diplomacy ... The time has come for new border of peace, stability without paramilitaries and without an economic war.”
Maduro called on Santos to re-establish the relationship of dialogue and respect.
“I extend my hand to re-establish a respectful dialogue without conditions,” he said.
Photo: File
The Venezuelan president expressed his willingness to meet as soon as Santos accepted and wherever the Colombian president wishes to meet.
The announcement followed Maduro's decision to declare a state of exception in three more municipalities.
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“After a precise diagnosis to construct a new border, I have decided to order closed the border crossing at Paraguachon, in the state of Zulia, to continue advancing in the eradication of crime, paramilitaries, drug traffickers and smugglers,” he said.
Maduro also announced the deployment of 3,000 more security forces to guarantee the safety and tranquility of the people in the state of Zulia.
President Santos had previously said he would meet with Maduro and also accepted the mediation of the Uruguayan government.
“We will be more efficient at the border if we work together in cooperation,” said Santos.
Maduro decreed a state of exception last month in 10 municipalities of the state western state of Tachira, which borders with Colombia. His decision followed an attack by Colombian paramilitaries against on Venezuelan soldiers, three of which were injured.
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Since then and due to the state of exception, many criminal gangs have been dismantled. They were involved in crimes such as smuggling subsidized goods into Colombia, sexual slavery, among other illegal activities.
Also, just over 1,000 undocumented Colombians were sent back to their country with full respect to human rights. However, Venezuela is still home to over 5.6 million Colombian refugees who have come to the country fleeing violence and poverty.
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