Venezuelan FM explains border crisis measures to UN chief

Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Delcy Rodriguez told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday about the measures her country has taken in the border crisis with Colombia.

During the meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, Rodriguez talked about "the reality of the exodus of Colombian citizens from Venezuela," according to TV channel TeleSUR.

The border crisis erupted on Aug. 19 when three Venezuelan army officers were wounded by suspected paramilitary gunmen operating in Colombia. The incident led to the closure of a major border crossing with Colombia in Venezuela's western state of Tachira.

Venezuela has deported nearly 1,100 Colombians, including 300 minors, since the border closure. Another 5,000 have left voluntarily.

The meeting could help the UN head "assess the situation while understanding it is a bilateral matter," Rodriguez told the TV station. The Colombian government was responsible for heeding the needs of its population along the border, she added.

On Saturday, Rodriguez will meet with her Colombian counterpart, Maria Angela Holguin, in Quito, Ecuador, which is mediated by the Union of South American Nations and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

The foreign ministers of Ecuador, Ricardo Patiño, and Uruguay, Rodolfo Nin Novoa, will also be present.

Rodriguez said she hoped the meeting could find a solution to restoring peace and quiet along the border, which is currently marred by paramilitary violence and drug smuggling.

However, she said the Colombian government "must take measure to resolve crimes affecting Venezuela," calling for a prompt meeting between Maduro and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

Source: XINHUA