Venezuela has reinforced its military presence in the state of Apure, on the border with Colombia, to support the frontal fight against the "Tancol groups," a term used by Venezuelan authorities to define "armed Colombian drug-trafficking terrorists."

The strategic operational commander of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, Domingo Hernández Lárez, stated that the deployment of troops and the sending of materials and equipment were carried out "to strengthen the territorial defensive system."

The deployment takes place in the midst of the tense situation in several zones of the border area between the two countries, following the armed violence unleashed in several Colombian border municipalities. Between January 2 and 5, 27 bodies were found in rural areas of the Colombian municipalities of Fortul, Saravena and Arauquita, Arauca department, and in Cubará, Boyacá department. (RHC)