Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Growing Fears In Colombia Of A Possible Border War With Venezuela

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos (R) greets Venezuela's national guards during a visit to Paraguachon border with Venezuela, Colombia, September 15, 2015, in this handout photo provided by Colombian Presidency. REUTERS/EFRAIN HERRERA/COLOMBIAN PRESIDENCY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

Reuters: Nearly half of Colombians fear Venezuela war over border crisis: poll

Nearly half of Colombians fear a diplomatic dispute that began last month when Venezuela closed several border crossings and deported thousands of Colombians, could lead to war, a survey released on Tuesday showed.

Forty-three percent of people in a Cifras y Conceptos poll published by Caracol Radio and Red + Noticias said they fear the crisis could lead to military conflict between the two countries. Twenty percent said they were afraid more Colombians would be expelled from Venezuela.

The South American neighbors could break diplomatic relations, 19 percent said, while 13 percent believe Venezuelans could leave their country for Colombia. The countries share a long and porous border plagued by drug trafficking, paramilitaries, left-wing guerrillas and smugglers.

WNU Editor: The Colombian President has a point when he says that that tensions with Venezuela can be defused very quickly .... Colombia's president says Venezuela gestures could solve border spat (Reuters). Unfortunately .... it appears that Venezuela is more focused on doing this .... Colombia accuses Venezuela of new airspace violation (AFP). As to why is Venezuela acting the way that it is .... there is probably some truth in this analysis .... Venezuela's President Starts to Look Desperate (Mac Margolis, Bloomberg).

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