In a statement, the FANB Strategic Operational Command (Ceofanb) identified the detained Venezuelan military officers as Wilter Alexis Gonzalez and Gabriel Antonio Veloz, who belong to a a command of the Bolivarian National Guard in the state of Tachira.

The military high command indicated that at the time of their arrests by the Colombian National Police, both soldiers were on leave and off duty. They are charged with weapons and ammunition crimes.

In this sense, the Ceofanb pointed out that a few 9- and 5.56-millimeter rounds allegedly seized from the Venezuelan troops are not part of the equipment issued to the Bolivarian National Guard, ‘which makes the version of Colombian authorities far-fetched’.

Likewise, the armed institution warned about the intentions to incriminate the soldiers to create unnecessary tension between the two countries.

jg/lcr/mem/wup