Venezuela and Colombia advance in the strategic map of cooperation and complementarity in defense matters with the signature of a joint declaration in which they commit to strengthening border security.
This Thursday the Defense Ministers of Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino López; and Iván Velásquez from Colombia, signed a joint declaration in Caracas establishing permanent communication and actions to guarantee security and defense on the borders of both peoples.
Points of the Joint Declaration
After the meeting of both Ministers for Defense of Colombia and Venezuela, it was agreed:
- Recognize the progress achieved with the results in the execution of 16 activities carried out within the framework of the Bolivarian Shield strategic operation.
- Increase the presence of military forces at informal crossings along the common border to strengthen coordinated work and the fight against smuggling.
- Establish a direct communication channel to exchange, inform and strengthen interaction in the fields of intelligence between the commanders of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela and the Colombian Military Police Forces.
- Continue with the meetings between the regional military units of Venezuela and Colombia, with jurisdiction in the border areas to strengthen operational coordination in the face of threats and risk factors, especially from structured transnational organized crime groups.
- Continue working together in order to strengthen defense cooperation between both countries.
Retaking paths of friendship and cooperation
“Today, 200 years later, there is awareness of resuming the paths of friendship, cooperation and complementarity”, stressed Minister Vladimir Padrino in his statements.
After the meeting in September 2022, more than 30 diplomatic activities have been carried out between the two countries, with which the actions are resumed with quite a patriotic and nationalist conscience, he added.
Confidence gradually gained
For Padrino López, these actions by both governments “give us a lot of strength and motivation to continue advancing on the path of brotherhood.”
“We have no cards up our sleeves, which builds trust between both countries. We must build trust little by little,” she added.
He affirmed that Venezuela is with “open arms to receive the complementarity of both peoples and governments.”
He commented that he was amazed at the speed of the processes, “speaking in private we are amazed at how quickly we have advanced and how quickly the wounds have healed.”
border violence
He noted that the issue of violence is not only of the present, it has been eradicated at border crossings.
Minister Padrino López acknowledged that “after the meeting between Presidents Maduro and Petro, both military and police forces have assumed this with considerable responsibility, with which we are building a future on the horizon.”
He guaranteed that both governments will continue to communicate and maintain actions in the territory.
“We have communication with the Ceofanb who carries out the actions in the border areas, to free the country from terrorists and armed groups, wherever they come from,” he stressed.
He also added that “no group has morality or permission to be on the sovereign side and it will be fought with great force.”
peace strategy
Padrino López celebrated the strategy of the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who has instructed to establish total peace.
“Sooner rather than later, both peoples will be united in friendship and brotherhood far from violence,” he said.
Advancing understanding and cooperation
For his part, the Colombian Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez Gómez, stressed that both countries are advancing quite firmly in strengthening bilateral relations of understanding and cooperation.
Upon leaving the meeting, he indicated that he was satisfied with the meeting with the Venezuelan authorities and stressed that the commanders of both nations will continue in the territories, strengthening actions and advancing firmly.
“There is much better understanding and we are advancing on the issue of communications that are generated between the authorities of both countries, which will generate effective results,” he said.
He explained that “the exchange of communications seeks to improve actions. We dealt with the issue of advancing combined actions that allow the fight against crime on the border.”
The Colombian Minister emphasized that both governments together with their Armed Forces are dedicated to improving actions to put an end to transnational crime and illegal criminal organizations.
He reiterated that “we will continue to advance quite firmly in strengthening these bilateral relations and we express our gratitude to General Padrino,” he added.
Likewise, he indicated that he hopes that Minister Padrino López will soon “visit us in Bogotá for the full recognition of relations.”
Return of three boats
Minister Velásquez confirmed the return of three boats that had been held in Venezuela since 2020 in exchange for three rifles.
third meeting
This new meeting is the third binational meeting between the Ministries of Defense of Venezuela and Colombia. It should be remembered that in September 2022 they met in the state of Táchira.
At that time they agreed on technical tables and established a common security agenda, to advance the military ties of both nations, in addition the opening of the borders was reviewed.
Also in 2022 they agreed to resume bilateral relations in military matters, they have highlighted that they have a joint work path to deliver results in the different areas of cooperation.
Venezuela and Colombia have a path drawn up together with a view to strengthening binational cooperation for the good of both peoples.
To date, the conditions of the population on the borders of both countries have improved, and it is intended to continue advancing on a comprehensive map of cooperation and for peace and Latin American unity.
Below is a gallery with the signing of the Joint Declaration between the Defense Ministers of Venezuela and Colombia:
