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http://www.newsmax.com/international/venezuela_colombia/2008/01/22/66396.html
Venezuelan Troops Go to Colombian Border
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela has sent 1,200 troops to its border with
Colombia to crack down on smuggling amid a bitter feud between the two
countries' governments.
The National Guard announced the stepped-up security Monday night, a day
after President Hugo Chavez ordered the military to keep people from
smuggling scarce, price-controlled items like milk across the border.
The issue has taken on political overtones because Chavez and Colombian
President Alvaro Uribe are at odds over Colombia's long-running guerrilla
conflict.
Chavez has called Uribe a "pawn of the U.S. empire," accusing him of being
unwilling to negotiate with leftist rebels, while Colombia's government has
rebuked Chavez for suggesting that the guerrillas should no longer be
classified as terrorists.
Venezuelans have suffered shortages of basic products like milk, chicken and
sugar recently as the oil-producing country's robust economic growth has far
exceeded agricultural production.
Critics say the socialist government's attempts to force down prices have
contributed to the shortages by making it tough for sellers to make any
profit. Some people allegedly have sought to sell their goods for higher
prices across the border.
Chavez announced an increase in government-set prices for milk over the
weekend to try to stem shortages.
The Venezuelan National Guard said Monday it seized about 550 tons of milk,
rice and other foods being shuttled across the border in trucks.
Venezuelan Troops Go to Colombian Border
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela has sent 1,200 troops to its border with
Colombia to crack down on smuggling amid a bitter feud between the two
countries' governments.
The National Guard announced the stepped-up security Monday night, a day
after President Hugo Chavez ordered the military to keep people from
smuggling scarce, price-controlled items like milk across the border.
The issue has taken on political overtones because Chavez and Colombian
President Alvaro Uribe are at odds over Colombia's long-running guerrilla
conflict.
Chavez has called Uribe a "pawn of the U.S. empire," accusing him of being
unwilling to negotiate with leftist rebels, while Colombia's government has
rebuked Chavez for suggesting that the guerrillas should no longer be
classified as terrorists.
Venezuelans have suffered shortages of basic products like milk, chicken and
sugar recently as the oil-producing country's robust economic growth has far
exceeded agricultural production.
Critics say the socialist government's attempts to force down prices have
contributed to the shortages by making it tough for sellers to make any
profit. Some people allegedly have sought to sell their goods for higher
prices across the border.
Chavez announced an increase in government-set prices for milk over the
weekend to try to stem shortages.
The Venezuelan National Guard said Monday it seized about 550 tons of milk,
rice and other foods being shuttled across the border in trucks.
