Venezuela: Armed clashes likely to continue in Apure State near border with Colombia through early April

Event

Armed clashes will likely continue in Venezuela's Apure State near the nation's border with the Arauca Department in Colombia through at least early April. Preliminary reports indicate that ongoing fighting between the Venezuelan Armed Forces and an armed militia group operating in the area has displaced nearly 5,000 residents from the town of La Victoria, prompting them to flee across the border into the Colombian town of Arauquita.

While details of the situation remain somewhat unclear, Venezuelan authorities assert that their military operation is in response to an attack on a border control post by Front 10 of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC) - a dissident faction that did not join the peace process that ultimately led to the dissolution of FARC in 2016. The government in Caracas has confirmed the deaths of two soldiers in the clashes in Apure state; however, they have denied recent reports that nine military members have been wounded in further attacks. Colombia has deployed more than 2,000 soldiers to the border region in Arauca and has declared a state of public calamity in the department; the decree will make it possible for the Colombian government to allocate additional resources for the reported increasing number of civilian crossing the Arauca River into the country from Venezuela to seek refuge from the clashes.

The fighting will likely prompt significant disruptions, including to cross-border transport, in the affected area over the coming days. Shortages of basic goods in both sides of the border are possible.

Advice

Avoid the affected area due to the high risk of violence. Confirm any nearby operations before traveling.