Venezuelan authorities on Thursday expressed their willingness to work together with the Government of Colombia to reinforce security in the border area, using the "cooperation mechanisms that are available" to both countries and underscoring that "institutional channels and bilateral contacts" already exist for this.
In a statement, the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that this offer is intended "to facilitate the exchange of information and the coordination of the actions that may prove necessary, in accordance with the protocols existing between the two nations".
Caracas also highlighted that "Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to border and regional security, the fight against transnational organized crime, and strengthening bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, national sovereignty, and shared responsibility in preserving peace and stability in the region".
This stance is known shortly after Colombia's Defense Minister, Jorge Mora, on Wednesday asked the United States to intervene with Venezuela so that it collaborates in locating a member of the Venezuelan Army, allegedly abducted by members of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) guerrilla.