At least 19 people have been killed in an alleged Venezuelan military bombing of a camp belonging to the National Liberation Army (ELN) near the Colombian border, Colombian radio station Blu Radio reported Saturday.
– The alleged attack took place Friday in Buena Vista del Meta, Apure state, near the border, according to former Venezuelan lawmaker Juan Francisco Garcia Escalona.
– Garcia Escalona, who coordinates the Fundaredes human rights organization in Apure, said he had received testimonies about a military operation in the area.
– Nine bodies were reportedly transferred to San Fernando de Apure, the state capital, for forensic examinations, according to preliminary accounts.
– Another 10 bodies reportedly remained at the site, while an undetermined number of wounded people were said to have crossed into Colombian territory.
– Residents of Puerto Paez also provided names and identification details reportedly found at the site, Blu Radio reported. The victims’ identities have not been officially confirmed.
– Venezuelan human rights activist and military affairs expert Rocio San Miguel also referred to reports of an alleged bombing of an ELN camp in Buena Vista del Meta in a post on US social media platform X.
– The reported operation comes amid accounts of armed clashes in parts of Venezuela’s border region in recent weeks.
– Garcia Escalona said residents and Indigenous communities had reported fighting in Los Pijiguaos, in western Bolivar state, and near Paso del Burro, along the Meta-Orinoco river border area.
– He linked the reported clashes to disputes over control of areas used for mineral extraction, including bauxite and coltan.
– Venezuela’s interim government, led by Delcy Rodriguez, had not issued a statement on the alleged bombing, Blu Radio reported.