Two years after the Covid-19 pandemic, Venezuela should reopen its border with Brazil this Thursday afternoon, February 24. Pacaraima Mayor Juliano Torquato, the city bordering Santa Elena de Uairén (Venezuela), said that the reopening ceremony is scheduled for 4 PM. In a statement, the Government of Roraima said it will be represented at the event by State Secretary of Finance Marcos Jorge. Full Text -> The Rio Times

Traducción de cortesía ->

A dos años de la pandemia de Covid-19, Venezuela debería reabrir su frontera con Brasil la tarde de este jueves 24 de febrero. El alcalde de Pacaraima, Juliano Torquato, ciudad fronteriza con Santa Elena de Uairén (Venezuela), dijo que la ceremonia de reapertura está prevista para las 16:00 horas.En un comunicado, el Gobierno de Roraima dijo que estará representado en el evento por el secretario de Estado de Hacienda, Marcos Jorge.Traducción al español -> Google Translación

The clashes were believed to have been between militants from the National Liberation Army (ELN) and remnants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who refused to lay down arms in the 2016 peace deal. Colombian President Ivan Duque said that civilians who had been caught up in the fighting were “likely” among the deceased. Full Text-> Deutsche Welle

The study indicates that in the last five years there has been a strong trend of coca crop concentration, especially in border areas and strategic areas for cocaine trafficking. According to the report, when this concentration stabilizes for four years or more, a productive enclave is established. By Andréa Barretto. Full Text->Diálogo

Traducción e cortesía -> El estudio indica que en los últimos cinco años se ha observado una fuerte tendencia a la concentración de cultivos de coca, especialmente en las zonas fronterizas y estratégicas para el tráfico de cocaína. Según el informe, cuando esta concentración se estabilice durante cuatro años o más, se establece un enclave productivo.

Brazil opened the border with Venezuela for the first time since March last year, but limited access to 50 people per day. The entrance was blocked, according to the government, for health reasons, but the measure was criticized by lawyers and human rights organizations, who said an exception should be made – with control measures such as testing or quarantine – because it was about people. vulnerable people seeking refuge. Full Text-> KSUSentinel.

Venezuela has been lurching from one disaster to the next. Food shortages and hyperinflation have prompted more than 5 million Venezuelans to flee the country. Its once democratic government has turned authoritarian. And in the most recent crisis, the Venezuelan army has been fighting guerrillas from neighboring Colombia. Reporter John Otis has more. By John Ottis. Full Text -> NPR

Caracas’ military offensive in this hornet’s nest, a cocaine transport corridor, has come from the hand of bombings, the execution of four peasants, arbitrary arrests and torture of neighbors accused of collaborating with the guerrillas, as documented by Human Rights Watch. According to different analysts, the Army has had a good number of casualties, which the Government does not report. “A guerrilla is worth 10 soldiers. Why? Very easy. They have been fighting all their lives, it is their way of life ”, says a threatened social leader in a cafe in Arauquita, a town on the Colombian shore. Full Text -> TheSaxon

Venezuela’s armed forces said Tuesday that they are deploying more troops to the state of Apure on the border with Colombia, which has seen heavy clashes between the army and Colombian irregular armed groups.  According to a statement issued by Operational Strategic Commander Remigio Ceballos, the incoming troops will execute “operations to combat and expel” armed groups coming from Colombia. by Jorge Jraissati. Full Text -> AnadoluAgency

Venezuelan security forces operating against rebels at the Colombian border have “committed egregious abuses” of human rights against the local population, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Monday. HRW alleges the execution of at least four peasants, torture of civilians suspected to be working with armed groups, arbitrary arrests, and prosecution of civilians in military courts. By Ananaya Agrawal. Full Text -> Jurist

Human rights groups from Venezuela and Colombia on Wednesday called on the United Nations to appoint a special envoy to address the humanitarian crisis caused by clashes between Venezuelan troops and Colombian armed groups near the countries’ border. By Vivian Sequera and Brian Ellsworth. Full Text -> Reuters

A recent series of Venezuelan military operations in the state of Apure has once again exposed the complex relationship between the Venezuelan government and Colombia’s insurgent groups camped in the country’s border regions — and more armed clashes should be expected. Full Text -> Insightcrime