BOGOTA, (Reuters) – Brazil and Argentina’s foreign ministers visited Bogota yesterday in an effort to kick-start dialogue between Colombia and Venezuela over a border crisis that has seen more than 16,000 Colombians leave their adopted home.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last month closed several border crossings and deported 1,300 Colombians in what he called a crackdown on smuggling and crime in the turbulent area.
Another 15,000 have crossed the border voluntarily during the sweep, according to the United Nations, many crossing a river with only what they can carry on their backs.
Colombia contends many of the deported were in Venezuela legally, and there has been an outcry from rights groups over security forces branding houses with a “D” for demolition and razing some of them.
About 5.6 million Colombians live in Venezuela.
Brazil’s Mauro Vieira and Argentina’s Hector Timerman met with their Colombian counterpart, Maria Angela Holguin, to “express their disposition to promote a dialogue between these two countries,” a joint statement from the three said.
They are due to meet with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez in Caracas today.
“The two foreign ministers look to contribute to the solution to humanitarian and economic problems on the border,” the statement added.
