The minister of Defense, Diego Molano, traveled to Arauquita to analyze the situation of the 57 transitional concentration points together with the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adriana Mejía, accompanied by of the military and Police High Command, as well as institutions of the National Government such as Migracion Colombia, border management, Ombudsman'S Office, ICBF and regional authorities, to assess the humanitarian crisis on the other side of the border with the situation of involuntary displacement because of the violent events in Venezuelan territory.
The visit was accompanied by representatives of the embassies of Germany, Brazil, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Union, the Office of the High Commissioner of United Nations for Refugees UNHCR, the World Food IOM and the Office in Colombia of the High Commissioner of the United Nations human rights.
"We thank the international community for the assistance in the humanitarian crisis at the border and a special recognition to the mayor of Arauca and all the local authorities who have handled this humanitarian crisis since the declaration of public calamity,” said Minister Molano.
For his part, Canadian ambassador Marcel Lebleu highlighted the work of the international community and the National Government to provide support for this emergency situation on the border "we have been able to see the international community working with the Colombian government and local authorities to take measures and provide support for this situation," he said.
Meanwhile, Luis Antonio Balduino Carneiro, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil said that the situation is very regrettable and that the testimonies of people are shocking, "it hard to see displaced families, Colombia, Brazil and other countries have received many migrants, but they were due to economy, but these people have come because of another reason that is the internal conflict in Venezuela".
In the same way, the head of the Ministry of Defense highlighted the commitment of the military and police forces to provide protection and security to Arauca people and Colombians on the border.
"The military forces will continue to operate with the two platoons of the National Army and 90 units of the navy, who will support security so that the more than 5,700 people, Venezuelans and Colombians, can safely return to their territories as appropriate. He ratified that what is happening is the product of a confrontation between the FARC dissidents Narcotalia and other criminal groups with the collusion of the Venezuelan regime, who dispute income from drug trafficking," Molano explained.
Michèle Ramis, Ambassador of France assured that she will report to the government of France the critical situation of the community that has taken refuge in the shelters, after leaving Venezuela "we come with more partner countries, we appreciate very much the humanitarian response of the Colombian authorities, the speed with which the transitional shelters were organized, we will look at the situation to see how we can help", highlighted the ambassador.
Finally, Molano assured that the Civil Defense will continue to support humanitarian work on the border.
In addition, the Foreign affairs Ministry ratified that I he will maintain the allegations of violations of international humanitarian law on what is happening in Venezuela.
Source: Defence Sector Communications Office-Ministry of National Defence
