Venezuela, Colombia to Address Border Violence

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro stated on Friday that the border with Colombia will remain closed until order is restored after a clash between smugglers and troops left three soldiers wounded last Wednesday. Maduro declared a state of exception that will remain in effect for 60 days along the border in the Tachira area in order to tackle rampant smuggling of goods and drugs. Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos recognized paramilitary activity at the border, and both presidents have announced meetings to address the matter. teleSUR