BOGOTA, Sept. 13 (UPI) — Two Venezuelan military jets violated Colombian airspace Saturday, flying over two military bases in eastern parts of the country, according to officials.
The BBC, quoting a statement from Colombia’s Ministry of Defense, reports the jets encroached less than 2 miles into Colombian airspace, flying on two separate occasions over bases in the Alta Guajira and La Flor regions before returning to Venezuela.
The Colombian government has demanded an explanation from Venezuela, which has remained silent on the matter.
Tensions between the two nations have been high after a Venezuelan anti-smuggling operation in August resulted in the closure of most border crossings into Colombia and the deportation of more than 1,000 Colombians. Thousands more are reported to have fled in fear of reprisals.
Tens of thousands of undocumented Colombians have for the last 50 years sought work in Venezuela’s oil industry, and the subsidized prices of food and oil in the country make for lucrative selling among smugglers in Colombia’s inflated market.
Sunday’s statement suggested a meeting in Ecuador between the foreign ministers of both nations had gone well, leaving open the possibility for future summits.
The BBC quoted Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Angela Holguin as saying Venezuela must agree to allow the reunification of families separated by the border closure.
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