Authorities in Trinidad Thursday rejected claims from Venezuela that heavily armed Colombian paramilitary groups had recently entered northeastern Venezuela via Trinidad, saying they had nevertheless initiated a formal probe of the allegations to determine what had exactly happened.
Responding to President Nicolas Maduro’s claims on Wednesday, Defense Minister Wayne Sturge said local officials have no evidence to confirm Venezuelan assertions but will nevertheless launch an investigation just to be sure.
The allegation of Colombian paramilitary groups using the southern Caribbean island to enter Venezuela was made by Maduro during the swearing-in ceremony of Jhoanna Carillo, the governor of the northeastern state, across the seven-mile Gulf of Paria stretch of water between the two nations.
“In response to these claims, the Ministry of Defense has initiated a comprehensive investigation. Preliminary findings indicate that there is currently no evidence to support these allegations. However, the ministry is taking immediate and decisive steps to address the matter with the utmost seriousness and urgency,” Sturge said in a statement widely reported by local media.
Providing details, Maduro stated that “yesterday, a group of terrorists was captured trying to enter the east of the country from T&T, with a batch of weapons of war, among which there are Colombians. Be vigilant because you have not been able and will not be able to implement violence in the country,” he added.
Officials put the figure of up to 70 heavily armed militiamen, including nationals of Colombia, Serbia, Spain, and other nations, with security officials suggesting that they were guns for hire and linked to the recent elections for governor, deputies, and other elected officials across the South American nation. Minister Sturge said the two sides will work closely on this issue.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to national security, the ministry is working in close coordination with law enforcement agencies and security forces to enhance surveillance and reinforce border security in critical areas. Additionally, we will be engaging with our Venezuelan counterparts through the appropriate diplomatic channels to gather any relevant information or evidence that could assist in this matter.”
Elaborating, President Maduro stated that the men were “brought in through the Caribbean Sea to enter the country; we must have a thousand eyes and a thousand ears because the terrorists have not succeeded, nor will they.”
