OMM Newsroom
At least 19 people were reportedly killed in an alleged Venezuelan military bombing of a camp belonging to the National Liberation Army (ELN) near the Colombian border, according to Blu Radio, cited by Anadolu Agency.
The alleged attack took place on Friday in Buena Vista del Meta, in Apure state, near the border, former Venezuelan lawmaker Juan Francisco Garcia Escalona said.
Garcia Escalona, who coordinates the Fundaredes human rights organization in Apure, said he had received accounts of a military operation in the area.
Preliminary accounts said nine bodies had been taken to San Fernando de Apure, the state capital, for forensic examinations. Another 10 bodies reportedly remained at the site, while an undetermined number of wounded people were said to have crossed into Colombia.
Residents of Puerto Paez also provided names and identification details reportedly found at the site, Blu Radio reported. The victims’ identities have not been officially confirmed.
Venezuelan human rights activist and military affairs expert Rocio San Miguel also referred to reports of an alleged bombing of an ELN camp in Buena Vista del Meta in a post on the US social media platform “X”.
The reported operation comes amid accounts of armed clashes in parts of Venezuela’s border region in recent weeks.
Garcia Escalona said residents and Indigenous communities had reported fighting in Los Pijiguaos, in western Bolivar state, and near Paso del Burro, along the Meta-Orinoco river border area.
He linked the reported clashes to disputes over control of areas used for mineral extraction, including bauxite and coltan.
Venezuela’s interim government, led by Delcy Rodriguez, had not issued a statement on the alleged bombing, Blu Radio reported.
