Colombia - Venezuela
Colombia says needs international aid to cope with Venezuela crisis
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-venezuela/colombia-says-needs-international-aid-to-cope-with-venezuela-crisis-idUSKCN1FY07C?
BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos said on Tuesday the country needs international aid to help cope with the humanitarian crisis caused by hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing over the border to escape the economic crisis at home.
Colombia’s migration authority has said that the number of Venezuelans living in Colombia increased 62 percent to more than 550,000 in the second half of 2017. Colombia has estimated that it costs $5 per day to give each Venezuelan migrant food and lodging.
As the number of Venezuelans crossing the border increases, including unattended children who get free vaccinations and education,
Colombia estimates it would need $30 million to build an assistance center to give the migrants a temporary place to stay before deciding their next move.
Colombian military calls Venezuela's invasion fears 'ridiculous'
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-venezuela/colombian-military-calls-venezuelas-invasion-fears-ridiculous-idUSKCN1FX316?
CUCUTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Venezuelan accusations that Colombia has been eyeing military action against its crisis-hit neighbor were “ridiculous,” the head of Colombia’s military forces said on Tuesday, during a visit to the border area.
Venezuela’s powerful state prosecutor Tarek Saab said on Monday that Bogota was plotting to attack the oil-rich nation.
“They are planning nothing less than a repetition of bygone times, like bombings, invasions and occupations by blood and fire, of a peaceful country like Venezuela,” Saab said during a speech broadcast on state television.
Colombia’s General Alberto Jose Mejia, visiting the border town of Cucuta that has seen heavy inflows of migrants from Venezuela in recent months, dismissed the comments.
“Just thinking about that possibility is ridiculous,” Mejia told reporters.