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Venezuela beefs up military presence in border area near Colombia

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-31 15:05

CARACAS: The Venezuelan government reinforced its military forces Friday in its northwestern border state of Tachira to strengthen the security in border areas.

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A total of 515 border guards have been deployed in this region, bordering Colombia, said Javier Rosales, deputy commander of the No.1 Regional Command of the Venezuelan National Guard (GNB) in Tachira, after announcing the detention of five members of a blackmail band in this region.

Rosales told the media that the detainees included four Colombians and one Venezuelan citizen who blackmailed farmers and businessmen in the border between Venezuela and Colombia.

Venezuela increased its military presence at its most active border zones with Colombia after 10 people were killed in this region last Saturday.