Caracas, August 31 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a sharp rebuke of a statement by the EU on the country’s closing of the border with Colombia, calling the position “immoral and hypocritical.”

“The statements of these European bureaucrats, who have no moral authority to interfere in bilateral issues that do not concern them, hide a double standard to say the least, because they come from those who have caused colossal human tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea which stem from military intervention and terrorist violence in the Middle East, Asia and Africa,” said the foreign ministry.

On August 21st, Venezuela announced a closing of the border with Colombia following an attack on three Venezuelan soldiers by suspected paramilitaries.  The criminal groups, which are accused of mass human rights violations in their native Colombia, are said to be responsible for numerous criminal activities in Venezuela including drug trafficking, kidnappings and politically motivated assassinations.

The foreign ministry statement pointed to the refugee crisis which has seen record numbers of refugees die attempting to cross the Mediterranean into Europe. 

Venezuela is home to more than five million Colombians and is host to the highest number of Colombian refugees in the region, totaling 173,600 according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.  Colombians with status enjoy all the benefits afforded to Venezuelans, including access to its generous social programs.

Venezuelan Vice President Jorge Arreaza said Sunday that there have been no new deportations of Colombian citizens in the past four days.