Venezuela has announced a massive reinforcement of its military presence along the border with Colombia, mobilizing around 15,000 troops, including soldiers and police, to the states of Zulia and Táchira. The measure was confirmed by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who stated that this action is part of the creation of the so-called “Peace Zone No. 1”, under the operational command of the CEofanb, with participation from air forces, drones, boats, and river units.
According to Cabello, the goal is to secure peace in the border crossings and to combat criminal groups operating in the region. Venezuelan authorities have called on Colombia to coordinate similar efforts in order to prevent illegal activities on both sides of the border. The announcement comes amid a tense regional climate, also highlighting the strategic confrontation with the presence of U.S. military forces in nearby Caribbean waters.
What could this deployment trigger in border dynamics?
Beyond its declared purpose of security, this type of mobilization could increase diplomatic and military tensions with Bogotá, threatening regional trust and complicating the functioning of cross-border agreements such as economic zones or binational projects.