The Venezuelan Army will dismantle anti-personnel mines planted by Colombian terrorist groups in Alto Apure. | Photo: FANB

Caracas, April 16 (RHC)-- The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) prepared this Friday to begin deactivating anti-personnel mines placed by illegal armed groups from Colombia in Apure State, bordering Colombia, according to military authorities.

The general commander of the Bolivarian Army, Major General Domingo Hernández, announced through his  official Twitter account that they are already preparing to begin these tasks, after manufacturing an armored unit barreminas that responds to the name "caimán patrullero".

"The minesweeper designed by combat engineers is ready to start the demining of the Alto Apure, where Colombian terrorist groups planted anti-personnel mines to kill our inhabitants", informed the high official.

The Foreign Minister also stated in his Twitter account that "we are in coordination with the UN instances with expertise in deactivation of anti-personnel mines (...) in the border areas where irregular Colombian armed groups planted them to make an attempt against Venezuela".

Last April 9, senior Venezuelan military commanders confirmed that the paramilitaries planted the mines to impose terror and violence among the residents of La Victoria, Apure State.

We are already coordinating with #UN agencies with expertise in deactivating anti-personnel mines, to support our #FANB in the demining of border areas where Colombian irregular armed groups have planted mines to attack Venezuela. 

According to the military report, during the Bolivarian Shield operation carried out by the FANB since March 21, the illegal use of anti-personnel mines was detected in that border area with the neighboring country, scene of armed clashes.

About 16 explosives were also detected in neighboring areas, while some detonations caused casualties among the Venezuelan military. After confirming the use of these explosives, Venezuelan authorities denounced it to the public, the UN and the media.

The minesweeper designed by the combat engineers of the Bolivarian Army is ready to start its operations in Alto Apure and protect our population from Colombian terrorist groups that planted their mines.