Pubdate: Tue, 08 May 2001
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2001 The New York Times Company
Contact:  http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298

BORDER POST IN VENEZUELA

ENCONTRADOS, Venezuela, May 7 (Reuters) - Venezuela opened a new military 
post near its border with Colombia today to combat a growing threat from 
drug traffickers and Colombian rebels.

Defense Minister Jose Vicente Rangel inaugurated the post at Encontrados on 
the Catatumbo River.

The beefed-up military presence responds to complaints by local farmers and 
ranchers about the spillover from Colombia of drug trafficking and 
infiltration by leftist guerrillas.

Military officials from both Venezuela and Colombia agreed last week to 
increase cooperation, but stopped short of authorizing cross-border 
security operations.
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