Venezuela: troop deployments are preventative

[Joanne98]

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolás Maduro said in a telephone call to state owned television station (VTV) Sunday night, that Colombia has converted itself into a base for organizing war, aggression and violence. Maduro made the comments in reference to the Colombian military's massacre of 16 guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), including Raul Reyes, the FARC second in command, inside Ecuadorian territory.

Maduro also assured that Venezuelan troop deployments to the Colombian border are a preventative measure in response to Colombia's violation of Ecuadorian sovereignty. On Sunday Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered 10 troop battalions, including tanks and aircraft to the 2200 km long border with Colombia after Colombian fighter planes and ground troops entered up to 10 kilometers into Ecuadorian territory, according to investigations by the Ecuadorian government. Also, all personnel in the Venezuelan Embassy in Bogotá have been recalled.

Likewise, Ecuador moved troops to its border with Colombia, withdrew its ambassador from Bogotá, and expelled the Colombian ambassador from Quito, calling Colombia`s actions the gravest act of aggression that the Uribe government has inflicted upon Ecuado.

Maduro has also revealed that Venezuela received intelligence three weeks ago indicating Colombian plans for a military incursion into Venezuelan territory.
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/3226