Caracas, August 21 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called for international assistance to create a humanitarian program to end the mass migration of Colombians fleeing violence at home as tensions between the two neighboring countries escalates. 
 
In a meeting with various ministers of his cabinet, the Venezuelan head of state requested support from international human rights institutions to come up with a humanitarian plan to bring an end to the hundreds of thousands of Colombian migrants fleeing to the country in search of refuge. 
 
The estimated 5.6 million Colombians that have migrated to Venezuela is “only comparable with what is happening in Africa,” according to Maduro.
 
Most of Colombian migrants have taken refuge in Venezuela to escape violence at home where the left-wing FARC and government have been in conflict for over 50 years.  Others have been attracted to Venezuela's progressive social services, like scholarships and medical care, that are lacking in Colombia. 
  
On Tuesday, Nicolas Maduro revealed new evidence suggesting the Colombian government is giving paramilitary training and assistance to Venezuela's opposition. 
 
Borders between Colombia and Venezuela have been closed for 72 hours starting Wednesday following an apparent attack on two Venezuelan soldiers by possible Colombian paramilitary groups. 
 
Maduro called for the Colombian community in Venezuela to stand with their host country and collaborate in peace efforts amid the current tensions. 
 
According to a census conducted by Colombia’s Ministry of Labor, Venezuela is the second preferred destination for Colombian migrants, second only to the United States.