Venezuela: Incidents with wounded continue to be reported along the border with Colombia

On Monday afternoon, another soldier defected and crossed the Simon Bolivar bridge to take refuge in Colombian territory.

At least two people were injured Monday afternoon, during a fresh clash at the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, the main border crossing point between Colombia and Venezuela. A few minutes later, another Venezuelan soldier defected and went to Cúcuta.

Members of the Bolivarian National Guard and Colombian protesters clashed again at around 6 pm, hours after the so-called "resistance" tried to unblock the roadblock imposed by Nicolás Maduro's government.

During the incidents, several shots were fired, leaving at least two wounded. One of them received a lead impact in one of the eyes. He was therefore unconscious and had to be taken immediately to a nearby hospital.

According to a man who accompanied the injured to the ambulance, the impact of the pellet broke the lenses that he was wearing to protect his eyes. The other victim was hit by several bullets on the arm, chest and back. After losing a lot of blood, he was also transferred to a medical center.

The "resistance" is seeking to enter the international humanitarian aid of his country after the failure of last Saturday's attempt, which also resulted in serious incidents. The incident occurred after the Venezuelan side began firing on protesters and throwing gas. This is the reason why the mobile riot brigade of the Colombian police intervened.

The clashes were recorded all day under the bridge. In the early afternoon, protesters climbed the crossing with ropes and managed to pull part of the truck with the Venezuelan government to prevent normal traffic at the Táchira River border.

He deserted another soldier

In the day of the clashes was added the desertion of another Venezuelan soldier, who crossed the Simón Bolívar bridge, joining several members of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces who went to Colombia and recognized Juan Guaidó as president of the country.

According to figures from Migración Colombia, more than 167 members of the Venezuelan armed forces have asked to be protected after leaving the official ranks. Among them is the army Rafael José Zavarce, who on Monday urged his comrades to "rebel" and recognize the self-proclaimed president.

(Source: TN)