The Colombian city of Medellin came into full bloom on Sunday as scores of florists descended on the metropolis for a colourful flower festival with a local twist. Watch this video to know more.

Colombia: Medellin holds annual flower festival

The children crammed into the bus and sat in two neat lines, poring over notebooks at desks where once there had been passenger seats.&nbsp;

From the overhead baggage bins, a teacher hung their exploits: coloured alphabet letters, watercolour paintings.

In the border city of Tijuana just miles<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-900-children-separated-at-us-border-since-policy-halted-aclu-239605"> from the US border</a>, in a dirt parking lot adjoining <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-says-migrant-numbers-at-us-border-down-40-since-may-239609">a migrant shelter</a>, that bus is offering a rare chance at school to Central American and Mexican children.

For most of the several dozen who have passed through the program since it began in mid-July, education was a distant dream in the weeks or months since their parents decided to uproot and head north to seek refuge or a better life.

Estefania Rebellon, director of the program called Yes We Can, said it offers specialised bilingual education for children who tend to have low literacy and struggle with social skills. Providing care and security is important too.&nbsp;

"These are children from very dangerous areas, where they have very big issues with trust," she said.&nbsp;

Despite shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, over the weekend that left 22 people dead, including eight Mexicans, she said the violence they saw in their home countries was likely worse.

Police say the gunman posted a racist, anti-immigrant manifesto before the shooting.

She said it was upsetting that vulnerable people could not count on finding safety in the United States, even to run basic errands such as back-to-school shopping.

"It's atrocious that there's the amount of hate in this country that's been converted into mass shootings. It's taken innocent lives," she said.&nbsp;

Rebellon, who also works as an actress in Los Angeles, said she knows what it is like to feel lost as a migrant child.

When she was 10 years old, she moved to Miami from Colombia, where her parents had received death threats.&nbsp;

The school became her refuge. 
&nbsp; 
When she saw large groups of Central American migrants arriving in Tijuana late last year, she launched a school program for children in tents at a large shelter.&nbsp;

The "tiny home movement" - an eponymous social movement that advocates for smaller homes - inspired her to try the same concept in an old bus.

Rebellon's bus used to have a capacity for 55 people - but with the old interior torn out, it can now seat 80 children.&nbsp;

The bus has welcomed aboard 37 students ages 5 to 12 since opening and will take in another 20 children in the coming weeks.&nbsp;

Yes, We Can also launch a program for teenagers in tents outside, Rebellon said.&nbsp;

The three teachers, accredited in Mexico, have experience working with displaced children in Latin America.&nbsp;

Yes, We Can is working to bring on a fourth teacher who speaks two indigenous languages, in addition to Spanish and English.&nbsp;

Most of the children are from families that are stuck in limbo in Tijuana for weeks or months as they inch higher on a long waitlist to apply for asylum in the United States.&nbsp;

They come from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala as well as Mexican cities in states including Guerrero and Michoacan, where locals often fear getting caught in the crossfire of warring drug gangs.&nbsp;

Rebellon said parents from those cities have told her that teachers often refuse to show up at school for fear of getting killed or kidnapped, and some children had missed school for several months.

If the program can secure enough funding, Rebellon said she would like to expand to Ciudad Juarez and Mexicali, other border cities with surging migrant populations.

"We can be on a bus, in a house, in a boat," she said. "It's more about what we teach the children."

 
&nbsp;

The children crammed into the bus and sat in two neat lines, poring over notebooks at desks where once there had been passenger seats. From the overhead baggage bins, a teacher hung their exploits: coloured alphabet letters, watercolour paintings.

The children crammed into the bus and sat in two neat lines, poring over notebooks at desks where once there had been passenger seats. From the overhead baggage bins, a teacher hung their exploits: coloured alphabet letters, watercolour paintings. In the border city of Tijuana just miles from the US border, in a dirt parking lot adjoining a migrant shelter, that bus is offering a rare chance at school to Central American and Mexican children. For most of the several dozen who have passed through the program since it began in mid-July, education was a distant dream in the weeks or months since their parents decided to uproot and head north to seek refuge or a better life. Estefania Rebellon, director of the program called Yes We Can, said it offers specialised bilingual education for children who tend to have low literacy and struggle with social skills. Providing care and security is important too. "These are children from very dangerous areas, where they have very big issues with trust," she said. Despite shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, over the weekend that left 22 people dead, including eight Mexicans, she said the violence they saw in their home countries was likely worse. Police say the gunman posted a racist, anti-immigrant manifesto before the shooting. She said it was upsetting that vulnerable people could not count on finding safety in the United States, even to run basic errands such as back-to-school shopping. "It's atrocious that there's the amount of hate in this country that's been converted into mass shootings. It's taken innocent lives," she said. Rebellon, who also works as an actress in Los Angeles, said she knows what it is like to feel lost as a migrant child. When she was 10 years old, she moved to Miami from Colombia, where her parents had received death threats. The school became her refuge. When she saw large groups of Central American migrants arriving in Tijuana late last year, she launched a school program for children in tents at a large shelter. The "tiny home movement" - an eponymous social movement that advocates for smaller homes - inspired her to try the same concept in an old bus. Rebellon's bus used to have a capacity for 55 people - but with the old interior torn out, it can now seat 80 children. The bus has welcomed aboard 37 students ages 5 to 12 since opening and will take in another 20 children in the coming weeks. Yes, We Can also launch a program for teenagers in tents outside, Rebellon said. The three teachers, accredited in Mexico, have experience working with displaced children in Latin America. Yes, We Can is working to bring on a fourth teacher who speaks two indigenous languages, in addition to Spanish and English. Most of the children are from families that are stuck in limbo in Tijuana for weeks or months as they inch higher on a long waitlist to apply for asylum in the United States. They come from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala as well as Mexican cities in states including Guerrero and Michoacan, where locals often fear getting caught in the crossfire of warring drug gangs. Rebellon said parents from those cities have told her that teachers often refuse to show up at school for fear of getting killed or kidnapped, and some children had missed school for several months. If the program can secure enough funding, Rebellon said she would like to expand to Ciudad Juarez and Mexicali, other border cities with surging migrant populations. "We can be on a bus, in a house, in a boat," she said. "It's more about what we teach the children."

At US-Mexico border, a bus becomes a school for migrant children in limbo

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nicolas-maduro-optimistic-after-opposition-talks-resume-in-barbados-234229">Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro</a> on Sunday said two former FARC commanders from neighbouring Colombia whose whereabouts are unknown were "welcome in Venezuela," a statement likely to fuel criticism that he is providing a safe haven for armed groups.

Speaking alongside Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel at the closing ceremony of the Sao Paulo Forum, a gathering of regional leftist politicians and activists, Maduro called Ivan Marquez and Jesus Santrich "leaders of peace."

Santrich and Marquez - the war aliases used by Seuxis Paucias Hernandez and Luciano Marin, respectively - both joined the FARC's political party after the leftist rebel group demobilized under a 2016 peace deal that ended decades of civil war.

But Marquez went missing last year after his nephew was arrested and taken to the United States to cooperate with drug-trafficking investigators. And earlier this month, Colombia's Supreme Court ordered Santrich's arrest after he failed to appear for questioning about US drug-trafficking charges.

Colombian President Ivan Duque later suggested Santrich may have fled to Venezuela. Maduro said he had learned of Santrich's possible presence in Venezuela from Duque's statement.

"They had announced that Ivan Marquez and Jesus Santrich were coming, and I was left waiting," Maduro said. "Ivan Marquez and Jesus Santrich are welcome in Venezuela and at the Sao Paulo Forum, the two of them are leaders of peace."

Colombian authorities believe dissident FARC rebels and fighters for leftist rebel National Liberation Army (ELN) are hiding in Venezuela and receiving protection from Maduro, according to a military intelligence report seen by Reuters. Maduro's government has denied protecting Colombian rebels.

Tensions between the neighboring countries have worsened since Duque joined the United States and most Latin American countries in recognizing Juan Guaido, president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, as the rightful leader, arguing Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate.

Maduro, who calls Guaido a US puppet seeking to oust him in a coup, broke off diplomatic relations with Bogota in February after Guaido's failed attempt to bring humanitarian aid into Venezuela through the Colombian border.

Maduro also said that two other FARC leaders, Timochenko and Pablo Catatumbo, were welcome in Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday said two former FARC commanders from neighbouring Colombia whose whereabouts are unknown were "welcome in Venezuela," a statement likely to fuel criticism that he is providing a safe haven for armed groups.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday said two former FARC commanders from neighbouring Colombia whose whereabouts are unknown were "welcome in Venezuela," a statement likely to fuel criticism that he is providing a safe haven for armed groups. Speaking alongside Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel at the closing ceremony of the Sao Paulo Forum, a gathering of regional leftist politicians and activists, Maduro called Ivan Marquez and Jesus Santrich "leaders of peace." Santrich and Marquez - the war aliases used by Seuxis Paucias Hernandez and Luciano Marin, respectively - both joined the FARC's political party after the leftist rebel group demobilized under a 2016 peace deal that ended decades of civil war. But Marquez went missing last year after his nephew was arrested and taken to the United States to cooperate with drug-trafficking investigators. And earlier this month, Colombia's Supreme Court ordered Santrich's arrest after he failed to appear for questioning about US drug-trafficking charges. Colombian President Ivan Duque later suggested Santrich may have fled to Venezuela. Maduro said he had learned of Santrich's possible presence in Venezuela from Duque's statement. "They had announced that Ivan Marquez and Jesus Santrich were coming, and I was left waiting," Maduro said. "Ivan Marquez and Jesus Santrich are welcome in Venezuela and at the Sao Paulo Forum, the two of them are leaders of peace." Colombian authorities believe dissident FARC rebels and fighters for leftist rebel National Liberation Army (ELN) are hiding in Venezuela and receiving protection from Maduro, according to a military intelligence report seen by Reuters. Maduro's government has denied protecting Colombian rebels. Tensions between the neighboring countries have worsened since Duque joined the United States and most Latin American countries in recognizing Juan Guaido, president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, as the rightful leader, arguing Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate. Maduro, who calls Guaido a US puppet seeking to oust him in a coup, broke off diplomatic relations with Bogota in February after Guaido's failed attempt to bring humanitarian aid into Venezuela through the Colombian border. Maduro also said that two other FARC leaders, Timochenko and Pablo Catatumbo, were welcome in Venezuela.

Maduro says missing FARC leaders are 'welcome in Venezuela'

A Catholic bishop in Colombia hopes holy water will curb violence in a city struggling with crime and corruption.Rubén Darío Jaramillo Montoya travelled on a fire truck to some of Buenaventura's most crime-ridden neighbourhoods , sprinkling water that he had blessed in what he called an attempt to thwart drug trafficking gangs and other illegal groups.

Colombian bishop hopes holy water will curb crime

The sweltering heat of the Venezuelan forest makes no difference to Jose Gregorio, who trembles with a cold chill. "I have pain everywhere, fever," he stammers.&nbsp;

Gregorio has the classic symptoms of malaria, a disease eradicated years ago among his Yukpa indigenous people, but it's back with a vengeance all across crisis-struck Venezuela.

"He had sore joints and then started vomiting, and it's been four or five days since he's eaten anything," says his worried wife Marisol.&nbsp;

Their four-month-old baby babbles beside his father on the bed.

"The baby and I also had malaria," says Marisol. "Before, that was not the case here, there was only chikungunya and dengue, malaria came back here last year."&nbsp;

She doesn't bat an eyelid at the mention of either of the other mosquito-borne viruses, whose spread has been fueled by the collapse of Venezuela's health system.

"Here" is El Tucuco, a small village at the foot of the mountains that form the border with Colombia, a three-hour drive from Maracaibo in Venezuela's western Zulia state.

With 3,700 people, El Tucuco is the Yukpas' "capital" and malaria is rapidly making its presence felt here as in the rest of Venezuela -- a country that could once boast of being the first to have eradicated the disease in 1961.

'Pandemic'

There are no official statistics on malaria's reach into El Tucuco, nor on the number of deaths, it causes.&nbsp;

But from his consulting room at the Catholic Mission, Dr Carlos Polanco is seeing a developing crisis.&nbsp;

"Out of 10 people who are tested for malaria in the village laboratory, four to five come out with a positive test. This is an alarming figure."

Brother Nelson Sandoval, a Capuchin friar who presides over the mission, adds: "Before entering the order, I already knew this community and I had never seen a case of malaria. Today we are in the middle of a pandemic."

El Tucuco is affected by Plasmodium vivax, the most geographically widespread malarial species. The more lethal Plasmodium falciparum strain is prevalent in the Amazonian regions of southeastern Venezuela.

According to Sandoval and Polanco, the reason for malaria's sudden virulence in El Tucuco is simple: once-regular fumigation missions by the Venezuelan government stopped.

"And as the population of mosquitos increased, cases exploded," said Polanco.

Added to this is the malnutrition that weakens resistance to the disease, a new phenomenon since the economic crisis took hold at the end of 2015.&nbsp;

"Before, it was possible to vary one's diet, but with inflation the Yukpa cannot afford it," instead making do with what they can grow, like cassava and plantain, according to Polanco.

Rosa, 67, knows all about malnutrition. Lying on the floor of her house, she is battling malaria for the third time. "The doctor weighed me yesterday -- 37 kilograms. I was 83 kilos before."

A report published in British medical journal The Lancet in February warned of an epidemic of malaria and dengue fever as a result of the continuing crisis in Venezuela.

Between 2016 and 2017 alone, the number of malaria cases in the nation jumped 70 per cent.&nbsp;

"The situation is catastrophic," said Dr Huniades Urbina, secretary of the National Academy of Medicine. In 2018, "there were 600,000 cases of malaria and we, the scientific organizations, estimate that in 2019 we could reach a million cases" -- one in every 30 people.

But these figures are only estimates, "because the government conceals the statistics."

'Nobody answers us'

The malaria explosion has gone hand in hand with the worsening economic crisis. According to Nicolas Maduro's government, inflation reached a staggering 130,000 per cent in 2018 and GDP halved between 2013 and 2018.&nbsp;

In the oil-rich state of Zulia, service stations have been dry for more than a month. Electricity blackouts are commonplace and residents flee abroad in their thousands.

Despite a poster of late president Hugo Chavez at the entry to the clinic, there is little sign of government presence in El Tucuco. Dr Luisana Hernandez despairs of ever seeing any state help.

"Every day, everything is deteriorating a bit more," she says, exasperated. Refrigerators intended to keep vaccines cold do not work "because we have no gasoline to run the generator," and both the clinic's broken-down ambulances are gathering rust in the garden.

"We've knocked on every door. But nobody answers us," said Hernandez.

Without fuel to bring drugs from the city, without resources to prevent illnesses, eradicating malaria in an almost impossible task.

Brother Nelson does what he can, with help from the Catholic charity Caritas and the Pan American Health Organization. His mission distributes the antimalarial drugs chloroquine and primaquine to sick Yukpa people.

Maria Jose Romero, 22, was able to benefit from treatment. "Repeated seizures are due to the fact that many people cannot follow the treatment," for lack of drugs, she said.

Romero now lives across the border in Colombia, having fled Venezuela. She is visiting El Tucuco to see her family. Soon she will return to the other side of the mountain, on foot.

"It's three days' walk," she says.

The sweltering heat of the Venezuelan forest makes no difference to Jose Gregorio, who trembles with a cold chill. "I have pain everywhere, fever," he stammers. Gregorio has the classic symptoms of malaria, a disease eradicated years ago among his Yukpa indigenous people, but it's back with a vengeance all across crisis-struck Venezuela.

The sweltering heat of the Venezuelan forest makes no difference to Jose Gregorio, who trembles with a cold chill. "I have pain everywhere, fever," he stammers. Gregorio has the classic symptoms of malaria, a disease eradicated years ago among his Yukpa indigenous people, but it's back with a vengeance all across crisis-struck Venezuela. "He had sore joints and then started vomiting, and it's been four or five days since he's eaten anything," says his worried wife Marisol. Their four-month-old baby babbles beside his father on the bed. "The baby and I also had malaria," says Marisol. "Before, that was not the case here, there was only chikungunya and dengue, malaria came back here last year." She doesn't bat an eyelid at the mention of either of the other mosquito-borne viruses, whose spread has been fueled by the collapse of Venezuela's health system. "Here" is El Tucuco, a small village at the foot of the mountains that form the border with Colombia, a three-hour drive from Maracaibo in Venezuela's western Zulia state. With 3,700 people, El Tucuco is the Yukpas' "capital" and malaria is rapidly making its presence felt here as in the rest of Venezuela -- a country that could once boast of being the first to have eradicated the disease in 1961. 'Pandemic' There are no official statistics on malaria's reach into El Tucuco, nor on the number of deaths, it causes. But from his consulting room at the Catholic Mission, Dr Carlos Polanco is seeing a developing crisis. "Out of 10 people who are tested for malaria in the village laboratory, four to five come out with a positive test. This is an alarming figure." Brother Nelson Sandoval, a Capuchin friar who presides over the mission, adds: "Before entering the order, I already knew this community and I had never seen a case of malaria. Today we are in the middle of a pandemic." El Tucuco is affected by Plasmodium vivax, the most geographically widespread malarial species. The more lethal Plasmodium falciparum strain is prevalent in the Amazonian regions of southeastern Venezuela. According to Sandoval and Polanco, the reason for malaria's sudden virulence in El Tucuco is simple: once-regular fumigation missions by the Venezuelan government stopped. "And as the population of mosquitos increased, cases exploded," said Polanco. Added to this is the malnutrition that weakens resistance to the disease, a new phenomenon since the economic crisis took hold at the end of 2015. "Before, it was possible to vary one's diet, but with inflation the Yukpa cannot afford it," instead making do with what they can grow, like cassava and plantain, according to Polanco. Rosa, 67, knows all about malnutrition. Lying on the floor of her house, she is battling malaria for the third time. "The doctor weighed me yesterday -- 37 kilograms. I was 83 kilos before." A report published in British medical journal The Lancet in February warned of an epidemic of malaria and dengue fever as a result of the continuing crisis in Venezuela. Between 2016 and 2017 alone, the number of malaria cases in the nation jumped 70 per cent. "The situation is catastrophic," said Dr Huniades Urbina, secretary of the National Academy of Medicine. In 2018, "there were 600,000 cases of malaria and we, the scientific organizations, estimate that in 2019 we could reach a million cases" -- one in every 30 people. But these figures are only estimates, "because the government conceals the statistics." 'Nobody answers us' The malaria explosion has gone hand in hand with the worsening economic crisis. According to Nicolas Maduro's government, inflation reached a staggering 130,000 per cent in 2018 and GDP halved between 2013 and 2018. In the oil-rich state of Zulia, service stations have been dry for more than a month. Electricity blackouts are commonplace and residents flee abroad in their thousands. Despite a poster of late president Hugo Chavez at the entry to the clinic, there is little sign of government presence in El Tucuco. Dr Luisana Hernandez despairs of ever seeing any state help. "Every day, everything is deteriorating a bit more," she says, exasperated. Refrigerators intended to keep vaccines cold do not work "because we have no gasoline to run the generator," and both the clinic's broken-down ambulances are gathering rust in the garden. "We've knocked on every door. But nobody answers us," said Hernandez. Without fuel to bring drugs from the city, without resources to prevent illnesses, eradicating malaria in an almost impossible task. Brother Nelson does what he can, with help from the Catholic charity Caritas and the Pan American Health Organization. His mission distributes the antimalarial drugs chloroquine and primaquine to sick Yukpa people. Maria Jose Romero, 22, was able to benefit from treatment. "Repeated seizures are due to the fact that many people cannot follow the treatment," for lack of drugs, she said. Romero now lives across the border in Colombia, having fled Venezuela. She is visiting El Tucuco to see her family. Soon she will return to the other side of the mountain, on foot. "It's three days' walk," she says.

Malaria surges back in crisis-hit Venezuela

Japan's ambassador to Colombia said on Thursday (July 04) that his country would provide approximately 4,500,000 dollars to two United Nations agencies to help deal with the influx of Venezuelan migrants in Colombia. Ambassador Keiichiro Morishita signed an agreement in Bogota on Thursday that would provide the funding to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Japan To Help Migrant Crisis In Colombia

Colombia national soccer team player William Tesillo told local media that he has been threatened via social media after his missed penalty kick in a Copa America&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-chile-beat-colombia-on-penalties-to-reach-semifinal-231415&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwinw_Oby5XjAhWLMI8KHbJPBCEQFjACegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3c_LJoGp17QqNxbCY5uHQS">shoot-out with Chile</a> last week cost Colombia the chance to remain in the tournament.

Tesillo's wife Daniela Mejia over the weekend published a screenshot on her Instagram of a message wishing her husband the same fate as Andres Escobar, a Colombian player shot to death after he made an own-goal in a match during the 1994 World Cup.

"They've written to my wife and she published it. They've written to me too," the 29-year-old defender told the local El Pais newspaper in comments published late on Sunday.

Sources with the national police told Reuters they are investigating intimidation via social media directed at the player and his family, but that they haven't opened a formal investigation because Tesillo has not lodged a complaint.

Tesillo's father told local radio the family is counting on God to touch the hearts of people who have written tasteless messages.

"I hope they understand it's football," the elder Tesillo told Caracol Radio.

Colombia national soccer team player William Tesillo told local media that he has been threatened via social media after his missed penalty kick in a Copa America shoot-out with Chile last week cost Colombia the chance to remain in the tournament.

Colombia national soccer team player William Tesillo told local media that he has been threatened via social media after his missed penalty kick in a Copa America shoot-out with Chile last week cost Colombia the chance to remain in the tournament. Tesillo's wife Daniela Mejia over the weekend published a screenshot on her Instagram of a message wishing her husband the same fate as Andres Escobar, a Colombian player shot to death after he made an own-goal in a match during the 1994 World Cup. "They've written to my wife and she published it. They've written to me too," the 29-year-old defender told the local El Pais newspaper in comments published late on Sunday. Sources with the national police told Reuters they are investigating intimidation via social media directed at the player and his family, but that they haven't opened a formal investigation because Tesillo has not lodged a complaint. Tesillo's father told local radio the family is counting on God to touch the hearts of people who have written tasteless messages. "I hope they understand it's football," the elder Tesillo told Caracol Radio.

Colombia's William Tesillo threatened after he missed penalty against Chile in Copa

Champions Chile maintained their hopes of a third straight Copa America victory after beating Colombia on penalties on Friday to reach the semi-finals.

Chile could have won the game in normal time but had two goals ruled out for marginal decisions in a scoreless draw, before Alexis Sanchez stroked home the winning spot-kick.

It was just rewarding for the champions after dominating a match in which Colombia held on thanks to a couple of tight VAR calls.

Charles Aranguiz had a goal ruled out in the first half for a marginal offside against <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-alexis-sanchez-strikes-again-to-take-chile-into-quarters-229418&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjGoODWio7jAhUTk3AKHWFNAYkQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Uct2rjBNMMYKCsvAx-2wK">Sanchez </a>in the build-up to the move.

And after Arturo Vidal shot low into the far corner on 70 minutes, that was chalked off for a handball against Guillermo Maripan, who had teed up the Barcelona midfielder.

Following eight successful penalties, William Tesillo casually put his effort wide for Colombia, leaving Sanchez to be the hero, as the Manchester United forward continues to make up in Brazil for a dreadful club season.

"We dominated practically the whole match. It was a great match against a team with a lot of quality," said Vidal.

"We scored two goals that unfortunately VAR annulled. We deserved to have won in normal time, we couldn't, but we managed to score the five penalties and went into the next round," he added.

They will face either Uruguay, who beat them 1-0 in the group stages on Monday, or Peru in Wednesday's semi-final in Porto Alegre.

"Penalties are more in the hands of God than the players, that's the way they've always been and always will be," moaned Colombia coach Carlos Queiroz.

Chile bemused&nbsp; 
 
The first half was dominated by Chile's 16th-minute goal being controversially disallowed.

Jean Beausejour made a surging, overlapping run down the left and his inviting cross was spilled by Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina after Davinson Sanchez got in his way, allowing Aranguiz to nip in and slot home from a tight angle.

But much to the bemusement of many watching, the referee consulted <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-organisers-satisfied-with-use-of-var-despite-lengthy-delays-230565&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjN9cOui47jAhWMPY8KHfH4CFEQFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2zC3hV_1WlUy8b3P4NxQeT">VAR </a>and the goal was chalked off for the most marginal of offsides.

Until then, Colombia had been the better side. On five minutes, a Radamel Falcao cushioned header found Roger Martinez but the forward wanted an extra touch and his goal-bound volley was charged down.

James Rodriguez then had a free-kick in a dangerous position but failed to clear the defensive wall.

Ospina made an incredible one-handed save on 12 minutes to keep out an Eduardo Vargas header from a Jose Fuenzalida cross, but it wouldn't have counted anyway as the ball was deemed to have been out of play.

Soon after the disallowed goal tempers flared as Sanchez squared up to Wilmar Barrios, only to then find himself face-to-face with Colombia's giant centre-back Yerry Mina.

Chile were by now in control of proceedings and Maripan headed over from a Beausejour cross.

The champions were buzzing and Mauricio Isla threaded a through ball to Vargas, whose shot was blocked by a sliding Mina.

Chile were looking increasingly threatening as Sanchez fired wide, Fuenzalida had a shot blocked and Vidal went closest yet with a curler from 18 yards.

VAR saves Colombia again&nbsp; 
 
Colombia made a bright opening to the second period as Rodriguez curled a free-kick into the side-netting and Juan Cuadrado sliced well wide on a rapier counter-attack.

Ospina was having a jittery performance and needed two attempts to gather a long-range Vargas strike.

The best chance of the match came on the hour when Aranguiz slipped in Sanchez behind the defence but under pressure from a backtracking Davinson Sanchez, the Manchester United forward sliced his shot horribly wide.

When Chile had the ball in the net again on 70 minutes after Vidal fired home through a forest of legs into the far corner, Argentine referee Nestor Pitana again signalled to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-brazil-have-three-goals-denied-by-var-in-draw-with-venezuela-228581&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjN9cOui47jAhWMPY8KHfH4CFEQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ZDP0E4mKQrVHOajO0MgcN">VAR </a>and Colombia were reprieved for the second time.

Chile continued to boss proceedings right to the end but in the shoot-out, it was third time lucky as not even VAR could deny them victory this time.

Champions Chile maintained their hopes of a third straight Copa America victory after beating Colombia on penalties on Friday to reach the semi-finals. Chile could have won the game in normal time but had two goals ruled out for marginal decisions in a scoreless draw, before Alexis Sanchez stroked home the winning spot-kick.

Champions Chile maintained their hopes of a third straight Copa America victory after beating Colombia on penalties on Friday to reach the semi-finals. Chile could have won the game in normal time but had two goals ruled out for marginal decisions in a scoreless draw, before Alexis Sanchez stroked home the winning spot-kick. It was just rewarding for the champions after dominating a match in which Colombia held on thanks to a couple of tight VAR calls. Charles Aranguiz had a goal ruled out in the first half for a marginal offside against Sanchez in the build-up to the move. And after Arturo Vidal shot low into the far corner on 70 minutes, that was chalked off for a handball against Guillermo Maripan, who had teed up the Barcelona midfielder. Following eight successful penalties, William Tesillo casually put his effort wide for Colombia, leaving Sanchez to be the hero, as the Manchester United forward continues to make up in Brazil for a dreadful club season. "We dominated practically the whole match. It was a great match against a team with a lot of quality," said Vidal. "We scored two goals that unfortunately VAR annulled. We deserved to have won in normal time, we couldn't, but we managed to score the five penalties and went into the next round," he added. They will face either Uruguay, who beat them 1-0 in the group stages on Monday, or Peru in Wednesday's semi-final in Porto Alegre. "Penalties are more in the hands of God than the players, that's the way they've always been and always will be," moaned Colombia coach Carlos Queiroz. Chile bemused The first half was dominated by Chile's 16th-minute goal being controversially disallowed. Jean Beausejour made a surging, overlapping run down the left and his inviting cross was spilled by Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina after Davinson Sanchez got in his way, allowing Aranguiz to nip in and slot home from a tight angle. But much to the bemusement of many watching, the referee consulted VAR and the goal was chalked off for the most marginal of offsides. Until then, Colombia had been the better side. On five minutes, a Radamel Falcao cushioned header found Roger Martinez but the forward wanted an extra touch and his goal-bound volley was charged down. James Rodriguez then had a free-kick in a dangerous position but failed to clear the defensive wall. Ospina made an incredible one-handed save on 12 minutes to keep out an Eduardo Vargas header from a Jose Fuenzalida cross, but it wouldn't have counted anyway as the ball was deemed to have been out of play. Soon after the disallowed goal tempers flared as Sanchez squared up to Wilmar Barrios, only to then find himself face-to-face with Colombia's giant centre-back Yerry Mina. Chile were by now in control of proceedings and Maripan headed over from a Beausejour cross. The champions were buzzing and Mauricio Isla threaded a through ball to Vargas, whose shot was blocked by a sliding Mina. Chile were looking increasingly threatening as Sanchez fired wide, Fuenzalida had a shot blocked and Vidal went closest yet with a curler from 18 yards. VAR saves Colombia again Colombia made a bright opening to the second period as Rodriguez curled a free-kick into the side-netting and Juan Cuadrado sliced well wide on a rapier counter-attack. Ospina was having a jittery performance and needed two attempts to gather a long-range Vargas strike. The best chance of the match came on the hour when Aranguiz slipped in Sanchez behind the defence but under pressure from a backtracking Davinson Sanchez, the Manchester United forward sliced his shot horribly wide. When Chile had the ball in the net again on 70 minutes after Vidal fired home through a forest of legs into the far corner, Argentine referee Nestor Pitana again signalled to VAR and Colombia were reprieved for the second time. Chile continued to boss proceedings right to the end but in the shoot-out, it was third time lucky as not even VAR could deny them victory this time.

Copa America: Chile beat Colombia on penalties to reach semifinal

Copa America organisers CONMEBOL defended the use of video technology at the tournament after revealing VAR stoppages had averaged two minutes 26 seconds per intervention, nearly double the time taken at the 2018 World Cup.

The lengthy delays to play owing to VAR has led to whistling from disgruntled supporters and been criticised by figures including <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-colombia-defeats-qatar-1-0-moves-to-quarter-final-228873&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjS-uXA2IbjAhUXfysKHTciBYAQFjAGegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Rtxu-bdYoDV_gIx2leyXe">Colombia </a>coach Carlos Queiroz, just as the technology has become a huge topic of debate at the Women's World Cup.

CONMEBOL referees' chief Wilson Seneme gave a news conference on Tuesday after the conclusion of the group stage to discuss the use of VAR at the tournament and said there had been 17 interventions in the 18 games, with 11 on-screen reviews.

The average time per intervention easily eclipses the 80-second delays for VAR at the 2018 World Cup, the first major tournament where the technology was used.

The longest amount of stoppage time added on in the Copa was nine minutes in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-brazil-crush-peru-to-reach-last-eight-229690&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjjiv_X2IbjAhXGXSsKHZYSDeIQFjAFegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0uPoq1x3-uyx9tjaBzWBcp">Brazil's </a>goalless draw with Venezuela, during which three goals were ruled out - two by VAR.

The extra time for stoppages added in that game was dwarfed, however, by the 18 minutes added in England's 3-0 win over Cameroon in the Women's World Cup.

"There have been no scandals and this gives us peace of mind. We are very satisfied with the result," Seneme said, adding that 15 decisions were changed as a result of the technology's use and two were upheld.

"We have been working on this since 2017 and the positive and negative results have allowed us to manage it well in 2019. The referee is still the one who decides, VAR is there to help the decisions,"&nbsp;Seneme said.

Venezuela have had a total of four goals scored against them ruled out by VAR, and after they scraped a goalless draw with hosts Brazil after two late goals were chalked off, coach Rafael Dudamel delightedly declared "Long live VAR".

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/argentina-beat-qatar-2-0-to-qualify-for-copa-america-last-eight-229875&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiLiPuO2IbjAhUEFogKHUqxD-4QFjADegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0KH8wOiFoRjbPqWYsry6Vg">Argentina </a>meanwhile were losing to Paraguay when they were awarded a penalty which no-one had appealed for after VAR spotted that a shot from Lautaro Martinez had taken the slightest of deflections off the hand of Paraguay's Ivan Piris.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-lionel-messis-penalty-rescues-argentina-against-paraguay-228869&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjS-uXA2IbjAhUXfysKHTciBYAQFjAHegQICxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1qwhh1mCV-kTGexBF7sw55">Lionel Messi</a> scored from the spot to salvage a 1-1 draw which proved crucial in his side progressing to the last eight, where they will face Venezuela.

Colombia coach Queiroz has been VAR's fiercest critic at the tournament, saying it desperately needed to be reviewed after it denied his side a goal and overturned a penalty that had been awarded to them in a 1-0 win over Paraguay.

“Something has to change, because the fans are left confused and the players and coaches too. VAR was supposed to make football clearer and more objective but it’s doing the opposite," Queiroz said.

“We need to have a re-think for the good of football because the fans are not happy about it and neither are we,” added&nbsp;Queiroz.

Copa America organisers CONMEBOL defended the use of video technology at the tournament after revealing VAR stoppages had averaged two minutes 26 seconds per intervention, nearly double the time taken at the 2018 World Cup.

Copa America organisers CONMEBOL defended the use of video technology at the tournament after revealing VAR stoppages had averaged two minutes 26 seconds per intervention, nearly double the time taken at the 2018 World Cup. The lengthy delays to play owing to VAR has led to whistling from disgruntled supporters and been criticised by figures including Colombia coach Carlos Queiroz, just as the technology has become a huge topic of debate at the Women's World Cup. CONMEBOL referees' chief Wilson Seneme gave a news conference on Tuesday after the conclusion of the group stage to discuss the use of VAR at the tournament and said there had been 17 interventions in the 18 games, with 11 on-screen reviews. The average time per intervention easily eclipses the 80-second delays for VAR at the 2018 World Cup, the first major tournament where the technology was used. The longest amount of stoppage time added on in the Copa was nine minutes in Brazil's goalless draw with Venezuela, during which three goals were ruled out - two by VAR. The extra time for stoppages added in that game was dwarfed, however, by the 18 minutes added in England's 3-0 win over Cameroon in the Women's World Cup. "There have been no scandals and this gives us peace of mind. We are very satisfied with the result," Seneme said, adding that 15 decisions were changed as a result of the technology's use and two were upheld. "We have been working on this since 2017 and the positive and negative results have allowed us to manage it well in 2019. The referee is still the one who decides, VAR is there to help the decisions," Seneme said. Venezuela have had a total of four goals scored against them ruled out by VAR, and after they scraped a goalless draw with hosts Brazil after two late goals were chalked off, coach Rafael Dudamel delightedly declared "Long live VAR". Argentina meanwhile were losing to Paraguay when they were awarded a penalty which no-one had appealed for after VAR spotted that a shot from Lautaro Martinez had taken the slightest of deflections off the hand of Paraguay's Ivan Piris. Lionel Messi scored from the spot to salvage a 1-1 draw which proved crucial in his side progressing to the last eight, where they will face Venezuela. Colombia coach Queiroz has been VAR's fiercest critic at the tournament, saying it desperately needed to be reviewed after it denied his side a goal and overturned a penalty that had been awarded to them in a 1-0 win over Paraguay. “Something has to change, because the fans are left confused and the players and coaches too. VAR was supposed to make football clearer and more objective but it’s doing the opposite," Queiroz said. “We need to have a re-think for the good of football because the fans are not happy about it and neither are we,” added Queiroz.

Copa America organisers 'satisfied' with use of VAR despite lengthy delays

Colombia in their second match of group B defeated Qatar 1-0 on Thursday at Morumbi stadium.

Colombia with a win over Qatar, sealed a spot in quarter-final of the Copa America as they won their both games.

For <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-colombia-not-far-away-says-defender-yerry-mina-228411&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjA-eiHrffiAhUMc3AKHc0dAusQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3IuB-JRWgi8uSxGEVS0a8V">Colombia</a>, Radamel Falcao started on the bench and James Rodriguez's impact was limited, at least until the latter set up the winner with a sublime pass.

In the final minutes of the game, Duvan Zapata's header came as a lifeline for Colombia as they were not able to score before that.

Zapata headed the ball to the goal in the 86th minute, the only goal in the match. Interestingly Zapata scored two goals in the tournament so far and both come in the 86th minute.

The 55th FIFA ranked Qatar showcased a quality game as they appeared organised in every department.

Qatar did not allow their opponent to score freely as they kept their defence solid.

Although Colombia attacked Qatar's goal-post but could not end with a goal.

The score-line after the completion of full time ended with 1-0 in favour of Colombia.

In their opening match, Qatar played a draw against Paraguay while Colombia outclassed Argentina in their first game.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-roger-martinez-cracker-helps-colombia-past-argentina-227523&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjA-eiHrffiAhUMc3AKHc0dAusQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3v6VFT4mZzUEcRA622-SmR">Colombia </a>will next play against Paraguay while Qatar will take on Argentina on June 26.

Colombia in their second match of group B defeated Qatar 1-0 on Thursday at Morumbi stadium. Colombia with a win over Qatar, sealed a spot in quarter-final of the Copa America as they won their both games.

Colombia in their second match of group B defeated Qatar 1-0 on Thursday at Morumbi stadium. Colombia with a win over Qatar, sealed a spot in quarter-final of the Copa America as they won their both games. For Colombia, Radamel Falcao started on the bench and James Rodriguez's impact was limited, at least until the latter set up the winner with a sublime pass. In the final minutes of the game, Duvan Zapata's header came as a lifeline for Colombia as they were not able to score before that. Zapata headed the ball to the goal in the 86th minute, the only goal in the match. Interestingly Zapata scored two goals in the tournament so far and both come in the 86th minute. The 55th FIFA ranked Qatar showcased a quality game as they appeared organised in every department. Qatar did not allow their opponent to score freely as they kept their defence solid. Although Colombia attacked Qatar's goal-post but could not end with a goal. The score-line after the completion of full time ended with 1-0 in favour of Colombia. In their opening match, Qatar played a draw against Paraguay while Colombia outclassed Argentina in their first game. Colombia will next play against Paraguay while Qatar will take on Argentina on June 26.

Copa America: Colombia defeats Qatar 1-0, moves to quarterfinal

Colombia started their Copa America campaign on a high note as they <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-roger-martinez-cracker-helps-colombia-past-argentina-227523">defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina</a> 2-0, however, Colombian defender Yerry Mina believes that the team has not achieved the desired results yet.&nbsp;

"Right now we are not where we want to be but we not far away. I think, step-by-step, we are doing things well," said the Everton defender while speaking to media at the Palmeiras training center in Sao Paulo on Monday.

Colombia have won the Copa America title in 2001 and they were runners-up in 1975, and they entered the tournament as favourites.&nbsp;

Colombia have under-achieved in their recent Copa outings but now they look determined to do better this year, especially under the orders of the highly-experienced Queiroz.&nbsp;

"Individually, I'm very happy because the team is united and calm," said Mina.&nbsp;

"To be honest, if we want to achieve something (important), we must work hard and that's what we are doing, especially understanding what the coach wants from us - which is very important," he added.&nbsp;

If Colombia manage to defeat Qatar, they are through to the knock-out round but Qatar could be a difficult quest.&nbsp;

Qatar fought back a 2-0 deficit against Paraguay to gain a point last Sunday.&nbsp;

Colombia started their Copa America campaign on a high note as they defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-0, however, Colombian defender Yerry Mina believes that the team has not achieved the desired results yet.

Colombia started their Copa America campaign on a high note as they defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina 2-0, however, Colombian defender Yerry Mina believes that the team has not achieved the desired results yet. "Right now we are not where we want to be but we not far away. I think, step-by-step, we are doing things well," said the Everton defender while speaking to media at the Palmeiras training center in Sao Paulo on Monday. Colombia have won the Copa America title in 2001 and they were runners-up in 1975, and they entered the tournament as favourites. Colombia have under-achieved in their recent Copa outings but now they look determined to do better this year, especially under the orders of the highly-experienced Queiroz. "Individually, I'm very happy because the team is united and calm," said Mina. "To be honest, if we want to achieve something (important), we must work hard and that's what we are doing, especially understanding what the coach wants from us - which is very important," he added. If Colombia manage to defeat Qatar, they are through to the knock-out round but Qatar could be a difficult quest. Qatar fought back a 2-0 deficit against Paraguay to gain a point last Sunday.

Copa America: Colombia not far away, says defender Yerry Mina

Roger Martinez scored an outstanding goal as Colombia beat Argentina 2-0 in an exciting finale to a Copa America Group B opener on Saturday that burst into life after a sluggish start.

Just as Colombia looked like being overwhelmed by a dangerous-looking Argentina side, substitute Martinez controlled a cross-field ball on the left wing in the 71st minute before cutting across the area and smashing it into the far top corner.

His fellow substitute Duvan Zapata made doubly sure Colombia would record their first win over Argentina since 2007 by pouncing from close range to knock in a cross from Jefferson Lerma 15 minutes later.

"We knew that it was a long time since we beat Argentina and we're delighted," Zapata told reporters.

"We'll enjoy this, it's a great result but the tournament goes on and there are lot of difficult games to go."

Both sets of supporters whipped up a lively atmosphere at a near-full Arena Fonte Nova, providing a much-needed boost for tournament organisers CONMEBOL after over 40,000 seats were left empty in Peru's game with Venezuela earlier in the day.

The fans were struggling for anything to get excited about as the first half dragged on, however.

Colombia initially looked stronger but Argentina were a different beast when Rodrigo de Paul replaced Angel di Maria immediately after the interval and captain Lionel Messi was able to find space to cause some problems.

Messi wasted the best chance of the game before Martinez's piledriver broke the deadlock when he skewed a rebound wide from close range, and the Barcelona forward also went on a thrilling solo run into the area but could not get a shot away.

A mass brawl ensued when Messi was cut down by Colombia's Juan Cuadrado in the second half while Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes fizzed two shots at goal.

A goal from Lionel Scaloni's side looked imminent but Colombia's usual talisman James Rodriguez split their defence with an impressive long pass to Martinez, who had come on early in the game after Luis Muriel was forced off by injury.

Martinez's stunning strike floored Argentina and although they came back with a couple more attempts, they never looked like scoring.

"We were good in the first 20 mins then we had a bad end to the half,"," said Scaloni.

"We lost the ball a lot but in the second half we were very superior to Colombia. Then, when we were playing at our best, they scored on the counterattack."

The coach also complained about the state of the pitch, calling it "lamentable".

"But the thing I will take from the game is that we were able to adjust and improve in the second half," he added. "That might not sound like much but it will help us in our next games."

Argentina, who won the last of their 14 South American titles in 1993, face Paraguay in their second match in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday.

Colombia, Copa America champions once in 2001, top Group B with three points ahead of Qatar's meeting with Paraguay on Sunday. They next play the Qataris in Sao Paulo, also on Wednesday.

Roger Martinez scored an outstanding goal as Colombia beat Argentina 2-0 in an exciting finale to a Copa America Group B opener on Saturday that burst into life after a sluggish start.

Roger Martinez scored an outstanding goal as Colombia beat Argentina 2-0 in an exciting finale to a Copa America Group B opener on Saturday that burst into life after a sluggish start. Just as Colombia looked like being overwhelmed by a dangerous-looking Argentina side, substitute Martinez controlled a cross-field ball on the left wing in the 71st minute before cutting across the area and smashing it into the far top corner. His fellow substitute Duvan Zapata made doubly sure Colombia would record their first win over Argentina since 2007 by pouncing from close range to knock in a cross from Jefferson Lerma 15 minutes later. "We knew that it was a long time since we beat Argentina and we're delighted," Zapata told reporters. "We'll enjoy this, it's a great result but the tournament goes on and there are lot of difficult games to go." Both sets of supporters whipped up a lively atmosphere at a near-full Arena Fonte Nova, providing a much-needed boost for tournament organisers CONMEBOL after over 40,000 seats were left empty in Peru's game with Venezuela earlier in the day. The fans were struggling for anything to get excited about as the first half dragged on, however. Colombia initially looked stronger but Argentina were a different beast when Rodrigo de Paul replaced Angel di Maria immediately after the interval and captain Lionel Messi was able to find space to cause some problems. Messi wasted the best chance of the game before Martinez's piledriver broke the deadlock when he skewed a rebound wide from close range, and the Barcelona forward also went on a thrilling solo run into the area but could not get a shot away. A mass brawl ensued when Messi was cut down by Colombia's Juan Cuadrado in the second half while Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes fizzed two shots at goal. A goal from Lionel Scaloni's side looked imminent but Colombia's usual talisman James Rodriguez split their defence with an impressive long pass to Martinez, who had come on early in the game after Luis Muriel was forced off by injury. Martinez's stunning strike floored Argentina and although they came back with a couple more attempts, they never looked like scoring. "We were good in the first 20 mins then we had a bad end to the half,"," said Scaloni. "We lost the ball a lot but in the second half we were very superior to Colombia. Then, when we were playing at our best, they scored on the counterattack." The coach also complained about the state of the pitch, calling it "lamentable". "But the thing I will take from the game is that we were able to adjust and improve in the second half," he added. "That might not sound like much but it will help us in our next games." Argentina, who won the last of their 14 South American titles in 1993, face Paraguay in their second match in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday. Colombia, Copa America champions once in 2001, top Group B with three points ahead of Qatar's meeting with Paraguay on Sunday. They next play the Qataris in Sao Paulo, also on Wednesday.

Copa America: Roger Martinez cracker helps Colombia past Argentina

Argentine head coach Lionel Scaloni said that the team has to take precautions for his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/preview-of-the-12-teams-taking-part-in-2019-copa-america-226324#argentina-226307">side's opening match against Colombia</a> in the Copa America 2019.&nbsp;

During a pre-match press conference, Scaloni told reporters, "In the opening match of the Copa America or any important tournament like this one, there are not easy matches."

"Of course, Colombia is a very good team and we will take our precautions, but we have to think in our game and not in our rival's one, then as I mentioned before, we will take our precautions, but we have a clear game plan," he added.&nbsp;

Scaloni echoed the defender's description of Argentina's all-time top scorer Messi, who has been unable to replicate his achievements with Barcelona for his country.

"I want to emphasise his enthusiasm to play football. He was born to play football, he was born to win. We are impressed by his enthusiasm and the fact he is here sharing that desire to win with us makes us enormously happy," Scaloni said.&nbsp;

Scaloni has been in temporary charge since the World Cup and has expressed a desire to stay in the job after the Copa America, but said he would not be judged for his results alone.

"The most important thing is not just the results but how you get them, it's important that the fans can identify themselves with the team and like the way we play," he added.

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For a fact, Argentina have not lost against Colombia since 2007 as they have won four out of eight official matches.&nbsp;

Argentina have a rich Copa America history having won the title 14 times, but the last of these came back in 1993.

They have also finished runners-up 14 times, including in the last two editions.&nbsp;

Argentine head coach Lionel Scaloni said that the team has to take precautions for his side's opening match against Colombia in the Copa America 2019. During a pre-match press conference, Scaloni told reporters, "In the opening match of the Copa America or any important tournament like this one, there are not easy matches.

Argentine head coach Lionel Scaloni said that the team has to take precautions for his side's opening match against Colombia in the Copa America 2019. During a pre-match press conference, Scaloni told reporters, "In the opening match of the Copa America or any important tournament like this one, there are not easy matches." "Of course, Colombia is a very good team and we will take our precautions, but we have to think in our game and not in our rival's one, then as I mentioned before, we will take our precautions, but we have a clear game plan," he added. Scaloni echoed the defender's description of Argentina's all-time top scorer Messi, who has been unable to replicate his achievements with Barcelona for his country. "I want to emphasise his enthusiasm to play football. He was born to play football, he was born to win. We are impressed by his enthusiasm and the fact he is here sharing that desire to win with us makes us enormously happy," Scaloni said. Scaloni has been in temporary charge since the World Cup and has expressed a desire to stay in the job after the Copa America, but said he would not be judged for his results alone. "The most important thing is not just the results but how you get them, it's important that the fans can identify themselves with the team and like the way we play," he added. #SelecciónMayor ¡Comienza la @CopaAmerica! #PodemosJuntos 🙌 pic.twitter.com/HZk11LMC5o — Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) June 15, 2019 × For a fact, Argentina have not lost against Colombia since 2007 as they have won four out of eight official matches. Argentina have a rich Copa America history having won the title 14 times, but the last of these came back in 1993. They have also finished runners-up 14 times, including in the last two editions.

Copa America: Lionel Scaloni expects a tough start as Argentina prepare to face Colombia

Preview of the 12 teams taking part in 2019 Copa America

Hollywood star <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/angelina-jolie-pushes-for-women-to-be-part-of-afghan-peace-talks-206814">Angelina Jolie</a> on Saturday urged the international community to provide more support to three South American countries with the most migrants from crisis-hit Venezuela, saying 20,000 Venezuelan children are at risk of being without basic citizenship rights.

Jolie spoke in Colombia as a special envoy for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She is on a two-day trip to meet Venezuelan migrants there and met with Colombian President Ivan Duque in Cartagena.

Four million Venezuelan refugees and migrants have fled the economic and humanitarian crisis in their homeland.

More than a million are living in Colombia, where the government and aid agencies have scrambled to provide housing, food and healthcare to an ever-growing influx of migrants arriving in already-poor and violent border regions.

The parents of Venezuelan children born abroad often struggle to register their baby's birth, either because they do not have access to an ever-shrinking number of Venezuelan consulates or because they do not have migration papers.

"The president and I spoke of the risk of statelessness for more than 20,000 Venezuelan children, his commitment to always helping children," Academy Award-winner Jolie, 44, said at a press conference.

"We agreed on the urgent need for the international community to give more support to Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, who are bearing the brunt of this crisis."

Duque said he hoped the visit would alert the world to the seriousness of the migration crisis.

He, Jolie and UNHCR officials had a productive meeting on Saturday morning, Duque said, including a discussion about how to nationalize the stateless children.

Jolie visited Venezuelan migrants in Peru in October last year. She will conclude her visit in the desert border town of Maicao later on Saturday.

Venezuela's imploding economy has brought widespread shortages of basic foods and medicines, while political hostilities have led to waves of fatal violence.

The crisis has deepened since the United States imposed sanctions, including on the pivotal oil industry, in an effort to oust leftist President Nicolas Maduro in favour of opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Dozens of nations around the world recognize Guaido as interim president, saying Maduro rigged his 2018 re-election, but their support has not been enough to unseat Maduro, who still has the backing of the top military brass.

Maduro accuses his foes of plotting with Washington to bring about a coup.

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie on Saturday urged the international community to provide more support to three South American countries with the most migrants from crisis-hit Venezuela, saying 20,000 Venezuelan children are at risk of being without basic citizenship rights.

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie on Saturday urged the international community to provide more support to three South American countries with the most migrants from crisis-hit Venezuela, saying 20,000 Venezuelan children are at risk of being without basic citizenship rights. Jolie spoke in Colombia as a special envoy for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She is on a two-day trip to meet Venezuelan migrants there and met with Colombian President Ivan Duque in Cartagena. Four million Venezuelan refugees and migrants have fled the economic and humanitarian crisis in their homeland. More than a million are living in Colombia, where the government and aid agencies have scrambled to provide housing, food and healthcare to an ever-growing influx of migrants arriving in already-poor and violent border regions. The parents of Venezuelan children born abroad often struggle to register their baby's birth, either because they do not have access to an ever-shrinking number of Venezuelan consulates or because they do not have migration papers. "The president and I spoke of the risk of statelessness for more than 20,000 Venezuelan children, his commitment to always helping children," Academy Award-winner Jolie, 44, said at a press conference. "We agreed on the urgent need for the international community to give more support to Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, who are bearing the brunt of this crisis." Duque said he hoped the visit would alert the world to the seriousness of the migration crisis. He, Jolie and UNHCR officials had a productive meeting on Saturday morning, Duque said, including a discussion about how to nationalize the stateless children. Jolie visited Venezuelan migrants in Peru in October last year. She will conclude her visit in the desert border town of Maicao later on Saturday. Venezuela's imploding economy has brought widespread shortages of basic foods and medicines, while political hostilities have led to waves of fatal violence. The crisis has deepened since the United States imposed sanctions, including on the pivotal oil industry, in an effort to oust leftist President Nicolas Maduro in favour of opposition leader Juan Guaido. Dozens of nations around the world recognize Guaido as interim president, saying Maduro rigged his 2018 re-election, but their support has not been enough to unseat Maduro, who still has the backing of the top military brass. Maduro accuses his foes of plotting with Washington to bring about a coup.

Angelina Jolie urges international support for Venezuelan children

&nbsp;A Venezuelan opposition legislator on Friday fled to Colombia while others said threatening messages had been spray-painted on their homes or intelligence agents had been following them, amid a broad crackdown by<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-seeks-to-display-military-loyalty-in-political-crisis-215491"> President Nicolas Maduro</a> against Congress.

The country's top court this week accused 10 legislators in the opposition-run congress of treason for participating in a failed April uprising against Maduro's government, and security forces on Wednesday arrested the second-highest ranking legislator, Edgar Zambrano.

Further arrests could cripple the functioning of the legislature, which has been a crucial part of the opposition's strategy to unseat Maduro amid a hyperinflationary economic collapse that has fuelled an exodus of millions of citizens.

A senior US administration official said on Friday that the US government had seen its contacts with Venezuelan military officials surge since the attempted uprising. Officials had also been in touch with the former head of Venezuela's SEBIN intelligence service, who broke with Maduro last week and left the country, to offer support, the official said.

Luis Florido, one of the lawmakers accused of treason, said in a social media post that he left for neighbouring Colombia to avoid possible arrest.

"I consulted with many of my friends before leaving the country, and they all told me I should not let them catch me, that I should not give a trophy to the regime," Florido said.

Opposition leader and Congress chief Juan Guaido, who assumed the interim presidency in January after calling Maduro's 2018 re-election a fraud, on April 30 called on the armed forces to rise up against the government. The military never joined and the uprising fell apart.

In a speech on Friday afternoon, Maduro accused Cristopher, the former spy chief and a military general, of helping to plan the April 30 uprising, which he described as a "coup."

He said he had full confidence in Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino and Supreme Court chief Maikel Moreno, who US&nbsp;officials said had been in talks with the opposition about plans to oust Maduro. He said Padrino, Moreno and presidential guard commander Ivan Hernandez warned him of the plot a week in advance.

"He left his troops alone, he fled the first thing in the morning," Maduro said, referring to Cristopher. "He is still in hiding, and the last time he spoke with me he said, 'My commander in chief, I recognize your presidency'."

"COLECTIVOS"

Cristopher, who Maduro called a "traitor," on Thursday shared a video from an undisclosed location urging Venezuelans to "build a new state" and combat corruption. Earlier in the week, the United States lifted sanctions on Cristopher, saying it hoped other senior military figures would align with Guaido.

"We have been in contact with General Cristopher," the US&nbsp;administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to a small group of reporters, noting that conversations continue.

The official said Cristopher was instrumental in releasing opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez, who emerged from house arrest on April 30 to join Guaido and has since taken refuge in the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas to avoid arrest.

Earlier on Friday, lawmaker Maria Martinez posted a photo on social networks of a graffiti message she said was painted on her house on Thursday night that read "We're going after the deputy."

The message was signed with the word "colectivos," which in Venezuela refers to armed pro-government gangs that opposition activists accuse of leading intimidation campaigns against Maduro's critics.

Five other legislators said similar messages had been painted on their homes or the homes of family members. Three legislators said intelligence vehicles were circling their homes or homes of their family members.

The information ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Two legislators this week took refuge in the Italian embassy. Those denouncing intimidation on Friday were not among those accused of treason by the Supreme Court.

Zambrano, who was taken to the headquarters of the Sebin intelligence agency in a tow truck on Wednesday, has been transferred to jail at the Fuerte Tiuna military base in Caracas, according to a statement by the court in charge of Zambrano's trial.

Some 17 deputies are already either in hiding in embassies or in prison, according to opposition leaders. If another 15 deputies are detained or leave the country to avoid persecution, the opposition may not have enough deputies to hold sessions.

The ruling Socialist Party has since 2016 refused to recognize decisions made the opposition Congress.

But such congressional decisions are recognised by foreign governments and have been crucial for managing offshore assets such as US&nbsp;refining subsidiary Citgo and for making payments on bonds issued by state oil company PDVSA.

A Venezuelan opposition legislator on Friday fled to Colombia while others said threatening messages had been spray-painted on their homes or intelligence agents had been following them, amid a broad crackdown by President Nicolas Maduro against Congress.

A Venezuelan opposition legislator on Friday fled to Colombia while others said threatening messages had been spray-painted on their homes or intelligence agents had been following them, amid a broad crackdown by President Nicolas Maduro against Congress. The country's top court this week accused 10 legislators in the opposition-run congress of treason for participating in a failed April uprising against Maduro's government, and security forces on Wednesday arrested the second-highest ranking legislator, Edgar Zambrano. Further arrests could cripple the functioning of the legislature, which has been a crucial part of the opposition's strategy to unseat Maduro amid a hyperinflationary economic collapse that has fuelled an exodus of millions of citizens. A senior US administration official said on Friday that the US government had seen its contacts with Venezuelan military officials surge since the attempted uprising. Officials had also been in touch with the former head of Venezuela's SEBIN intelligence service, who broke with Maduro last week and left the country, to offer support, the official said. Luis Florido, one of the lawmakers accused of treason, said in a social media post that he left for neighbouring Colombia to avoid possible arrest. "I consulted with many of my friends before leaving the country, and they all told me I should not let them catch me, that I should not give a trophy to the regime," Florido said. Opposition leader and Congress chief Juan Guaido, who assumed the interim presidency in January after calling Maduro's 2018 re-election a fraud, on April 30 called on the armed forces to rise up against the government. The military never joined and the uprising fell apart. In a speech on Friday afternoon, Maduro accused Cristopher, the former spy chief and a military general, of helping to plan the April 30 uprising, which he described as a "coup." He said he had full confidence in Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino and Supreme Court chief Maikel Moreno, who US officials said had been in talks with the opposition about plans to oust Maduro. He said Padrino, Moreno and presidential guard commander Ivan Hernandez warned him of the plot a week in advance. "He left his troops alone, he fled the first thing in the morning," Maduro said, referring to Cristopher. "He is still in hiding, and the last time he spoke with me he said, 'My commander in chief, I recognize your presidency'." "COLECTIVOS" Cristopher, who Maduro called a "traitor," on Thursday shared a video from an undisclosed location urging Venezuelans to "build a new state" and combat corruption. Earlier in the week, the United States lifted sanctions on Cristopher, saying it hoped other senior military figures would align with Guaido. "We have been in contact with General Cristopher," the US administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to a small group of reporters, noting that conversations continue. The official said Cristopher was instrumental in releasing opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez, who emerged from house arrest on April 30 to join Guaido and has since taken refuge in the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas to avoid arrest. Earlier on Friday, lawmaker Maria Martinez posted a photo on social networks of a graffiti message she said was painted on her house on Thursday night that read "We're going after the deputy." The message was signed with the word "colectivos," which in Venezuela refers to armed pro-government gangs that opposition activists accuse of leading intimidation campaigns against Maduro's critics. Five other legislators said similar messages had been painted on their homes or the homes of family members. Three legislators said intelligence vehicles were circling their homes or homes of their family members. The information ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Two legislators this week took refuge in the Italian embassy. Those denouncing intimidation on Friday were not among those accused of treason by the Supreme Court. Zambrano, who was taken to the headquarters of the Sebin intelligence agency in a tow truck on Wednesday, has been transferred to jail at the Fuerte Tiuna military base in Caracas, according to a statement by the court in charge of Zambrano's trial. Some 17 deputies are already either in hiding in embassies or in prison, according to opposition leaders. If another 15 deputies are detained or leave the country to avoid persecution, the opposition may not have enough deputies to hold sessions. The ruling Socialist Party has since 2016 refused to recognize decisions made the opposition Congress. But such congressional decisions are recognised by foreign governments and have been crucial for managing offshore assets such as US refining subsidiary Citgo and for making payments on bonds issued by state oil company PDVSA.

As Maduro cracks down, Venezuela legislators see intimidation

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in the city of Cucuta, Colombia on Sunday where he met with Colombian President Ivan Duque as part of a tour to shore up regional support for President Donald Trump's hard line stance against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Mike Pompeo visits Venezuelan border with Colombian President Duque

A total of 729 people were displaced over four days in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-condemns-alleged-plot-to-kill-president-187398&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwidp729is3hAhUL448KHUwlBNkQFggEMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0l5SQBBwRnW6VPkmZF-rmZ">Colombia</a>'s Narino department bordering <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assange-aide-arrested-trying-to-leave-ecuador-official-209726&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjjn-nfis3hAhVEqo8KHYdKCbQQFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Ks4G26ow1IJqETnQgvQVr">Ecuador</a> earlier in the month due to clashes between unidentified armed groups, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday.&nbsp;

In a statement, OCHA said that 257 families from the town of La Guayacana and three villages in Tumaco municipality were forced to flee their homes during April&nbsp;3-7.

The displaced, belonging to indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, have taken shelter in the homes of relatives and friends while some of them are on roads or in other neighbourhoods of Tumaco, the region with the highest number of coca plantations in Colombia.

The UN organization has called for the protection of these communities, saying "the presence, action and constant confrontations between unidentified armed groups" makes it likely there will be further displacements.

It also pointed out the possibility of "restrictions on movement, selective killings, threats, forced recruitment and anti-personnel mine accidents."

The OCHA also said that some of the displaced are being "revictimized" after suffering massive displacement and restrictions on their mobility in January.

Other requirements to mitigate the damages are food security and nutrition as the affected communities are facing difficulties in accessing their livelihoods, products made from food crops (for their own use), and a generation of economic resources, according to the UN agency.

The statement added that the communities also have a need for psychosocial attention.

To tackle the emergency, the OCHA is setting up a comprehensive care unit in collaboration with the Narino Local Coordinating Team to deliver food, hygiene kits and medical assistance.

The Mayor's Office of Tumaco is also monitoring the situation, gathering information and conducting censuses of the affected population.

Tumaco is one of the most troubled parts of Colombia, where dissidents of the former guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN) and criminal gangs try to establish their dominance.

In January, the OCHA had reported that at least 700 people in this municipality were forced to abandon their homes in rural areas, also due to clashes between armed groups.

A total of 729 people were displaced over four days in Colombia's Narino department bordering Ecuador earlier in the month due to clashes between unidentified armed groups, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday.

A total of 729 people were displaced over four days in Colombia's Narino department bordering Ecuador earlier in the month due to clashes between unidentified armed groups, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday. In a statement, OCHA said that 257 families from the town of La Guayacana and three villages in Tumaco municipality were forced to flee their homes during April 3-7. The displaced, belonging to indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, have taken shelter in the homes of relatives and friends while some of them are on roads or in other neighbourhoods of Tumaco, the region with the highest number of coca plantations in Colombia. The UN organization has called for the protection of these communities, saying "the presence, action and constant confrontations between unidentified armed groups" makes it likely there will be further displacements. It also pointed out the possibility of "restrictions on movement, selective killings, threats, forced recruitment and anti-personnel mine accidents." The OCHA also said that some of the displaced are being "revictimized" after suffering massive displacement and restrictions on their mobility in January. Other requirements to mitigate the damages are food security and nutrition as the affected communities are facing difficulties in accessing their livelihoods, products made from food crops (for their own use), and a generation of economic resources, according to the UN agency. The statement added that the communities also have a need for psychosocial attention. To tackle the emergency, the OCHA is setting up a comprehensive care unit in collaboration with the Narino Local Coordinating Team to deliver food, hygiene kits and medical assistance. The Mayor's Office of Tumaco is also monitoring the situation, gathering information and conducting censuses of the affected population. Tumaco is one of the most troubled parts of Colombia, where dissidents of the former guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN) and criminal gangs try to establish their dominance. In January, the OCHA had reported that at least 700 people in this municipality were forced to abandon their homes in rural areas, also due to clashes between armed groups.

Over 700 displaced in four days due to clashes in southwest Colombia

Demonstrations were held in different cities of Colombia Wednesday in defence of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), considered the backbone of the peace agreement signed with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), after president Ivan Duque objected to six articles of the peace legislation.

In the central Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota, about 500 people gathered, seeking to "embrace peace".

The attendees arrived at the square at dusk wearing white shirts, flags of the same colour and posters with phrases like "Such armed conflict does exist" and "They want to end the JEP because they fear the truth".

"Ordinary people do want peace and they feel that this attack on the JEP from the national government, headed by President Duque, is not only to the JEP itself but to the peace agreement," Luis Alberto Alban Urbano, better known as "Marcos Calarca", a parliamentarian of the House of Representatives from the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force, the successor party of the FARC, told Efe.

According to Alban, the president's objections "put the agreement at risk," which was signed in 2016.

At the same time, former vice-presidential candidate Angela Robledo, of the leftist movement Colombia Humana, insisted that "the JEP is the mechanism that allows access to truth and reparation," which is why she considered the agreement with the ex-combatants is currently in danger.

President Duque announced on March 10 that he will return the statute law of the JEP to the Congress, after objecting to six articles, on the grounds that they do not guarantee the application of the principles of truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition, which are part of the agreement with the FARC.

The aforementioned law was approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives in 2017 and then received the approval of the Constitutional Court, and the only procedure left was the presidential sanction, but the president decided to object partially.

In Medellin, the demonstration began in the Parque de las Luces with a small group of protesters who marched on the streets of the city centre under the slogan "peace is not to be objected, the JEP is to be respected", while the biggest gathering took was later when nearly 200 people joined at nightfall.

Among the attendees, most of them young people who sang the mantra "here is the generation of peace", were members of the FARC party that carried flags with messages demanding respect for the peace agreement and expressing the rejection of war.

Colombian opposition parties announced a national mobilization in support of the JEP for March 18.

"We are calling for unity, peace and reconciliation and we are calling for a great national mobilization on Mar. 18," Juanita Goebertus, representative to the House of Representatives of the Green Alliance party said.

Demonstrations were held in different cities of Colombia Wednesday in defence of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), considered the backbone of the peace agreement signed with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), after president Ivan Duque objected to six articles of the peace legislation.

Demonstrations were held in different cities of Colombia Wednesday in defence of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), considered the backbone of the peace agreement signed with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), after president Ivan Duque objected to six articles of the peace legislation. In the central Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota, about 500 people gathered, seeking to "embrace peace". The attendees arrived at the square at dusk wearing white shirts, flags of the same colour and posters with phrases like "Such armed conflict does exist" and "They want to end the JEP because they fear the truth". "Ordinary people do want peace and they feel that this attack on the JEP from the national government, headed by President Duque, is not only to the JEP itself but to the peace agreement," Luis Alberto Alban Urbano, better known as "Marcos Calarca", a parliamentarian of the House of Representatives from the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force, the successor party of the FARC, told Efe. According to Alban, the president's objections "put the agreement at risk," which was signed in 2016. At the same time, former vice-presidential candidate Angela Robledo, of the leftist movement Colombia Humana, insisted that "the JEP is the mechanism that allows access to truth and reparation," which is why she considered the agreement with the ex-combatants is currently in danger. President Duque announced on March 10 that he will return the statute law of the JEP to the Congress, after objecting to six articles, on the grounds that they do not guarantee the application of the principles of truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition, which are part of the agreement with the FARC. The aforementioned law was approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives in 2017 and then received the approval of the Constitutional Court, and the only procedure left was the presidential sanction, but the president decided to object partially. In Medellin, the demonstration began in the Parque de las Luces with a small group of protesters who marched on the streets of the city centre under the slogan "peace is not to be objected, the JEP is to be respected", while the biggest gathering took was later when nearly 200 people joined at nightfall. Among the attendees, most of them young people who sang the mantra "here is the generation of peace", were members of the FARC party that carried flags with messages demanding respect for the peace agreement and expressing the rejection of war. Colombian opposition parties announced a national mobilization in support of the JEP for March 18. "We are calling for unity, peace and reconciliation and we are calling for a great national mobilization on Mar. 18," Juanita Goebertus, representative to the House of Representatives of the Green Alliance party said.

Hundreds of Colombians protest in defence of peace deal

12 dead in Colombia Plane Crash

Fourteen people were killed in a plane crash in the Colombian plains province of Meta on Saturday, the country’s civil aviation agency said.

The Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics said there were no survivors of the crash, which occurred after the DC-3 aircraft made a distress call at 10:40 am local time.

The plane, which is owned by Laser Aereo airlines, was en route from the southern city of San Jose del Guaviare to central Villavicencio, the agency said.

It crashed about midway through its flight, in San Carlos de Guaroa municipality.

The airline said it had no immediate comment.

In a later statement posted on Twitter, the agency named those who had died, including the mayor of a small town in the jungle province of Vaupes.

The aircraft’s navigability permissions were up-to-date, as were the medical certifications of its crew, the agency added.

Fourteen people were killed in a plane crash in the Colombian plains province of Meta on Saturday, the country’s civil aviation agency said. The Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics said there were no survivors of the crash, which occurred after the DC-3 aircraft made a distress call at 10:40 am local time.

Fourteen people were killed in a plane crash in the Colombian plains province of Meta on Saturday, the country’s civil aviation agency said. The Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics said there were no survivors of the crash, which occurred after the DC-3 aircraft made a distress call at 10:40 am local time. The plane, which is owned by Laser Aereo airlines, was en route from the southern city of San Jose del Guaviare to central Villavicencio, the agency said. It crashed about midway through its flight, in San Carlos de Guaroa municipality. The airline said it had no immediate comment. In a later statement posted on Twitter, the agency named those who had died, including the mayor of a small town in the jungle province of Vaupes. The aircraft’s navigability permissions were up-to-date, as were the medical certifications of its crew, the agency added.

Fourteen dead in Colombia plane crash

One of the three border bridges between Colombia and Venezuela, the Tienditas Bridge, has remained closed since it was built four years ago, amid the ongoing US aid standoff.

Some news media reported that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro deliberately closed the Tienditas Bridge to prevent humanitarian aid from the US.

However, in an interview with China Central Television, a Colombian resident living on the common border said that the bridge has been closed since it was built four years ago, which proves that the closure of the bridge is not a deliberate move.

"The Tienditas Bridge was built four years ago for vehicle traffic. It has been closed for four years," said Rodrigez, the local resident.

The Columbian government has posed guards outside the bridge. Vehicles and pedestrians without permission are not allowed to enter the country.

The three bridges on the border are the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, the Francisco de Paula Santander Bridge and the Tienditas Bridge.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced last Friday the closure of the three bridges.

The move came after the United States and other countries in the region, in coordination with the Venezuelan opposition, declared their plan to deliver aid into Venezuela.

The Venezuelan government has refused to let the aid cross the border and called the aid operation a "US-orchestrated show" designed to lead to an eventual invasion.

&nbsp;

One of the three border bridges between Colombia and Venezuela, the Tienditas Bridge, has remained closed since it was built four years ago, amid the ongoing US aid standoff.

One of the three border bridges between Colombia and Venezuela, the Tienditas Bridge, has remained closed since it was built four years ago, amid the ongoing US aid standoff. Some news media reported that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro deliberately closed the Tienditas Bridge to prevent humanitarian aid from the US. However, in an interview with China Central Television, a Colombian resident living on the common border said that the bridge has been closed since it was built four years ago, which proves that the closure of the bridge is not a deliberate move. "The Tienditas Bridge was built four years ago for vehicle traffic. It has been closed for four years," said Rodrigez, the local resident. The Columbian government has posed guards outside the bridge. Vehicles and pedestrians without permission are not allowed to enter the country. The three bridges on the border are the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, the Francisco de Paula Santander Bridge and the Tienditas Bridge. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced last Friday the closure of the three bridges. The move came after the United States and other countries in the region, in coordination with the Venezuelan opposition, declared their plan to deliver aid into Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has refused to let the aid cross the border and called the aid operation a "US-orchestrated show" designed to lead to an eventual invasion.

Colombia-Venezuela border bridge remains closed amid US aid standoff

*By- Annette Idler

As the crisis in Venezuela continues, aid trucks are being blocked at the border with Colombia. But this development isn’t only about the two men claiming to be the country’s rightful president: it’s also about the borderlands themselves.

The Colombia-Venezuela border is home to some of the worst violence and organised crime in the region. Aid blockages can be seen as yet another manifestation of these problems, with armed groups playing power games at the expense of vulnerable local people.

Concerns that Venezuela’s instability could extend beyond its borders have already materialised – 3 million citizens have left the country. Most of them are “absorbed” by borderland communities, pressurising already strained governance systems.

As our research shows, the pressure on basic services in these communities that have been deficient anyway – health, access to food and jobs – fuels crime, prostitution, and begging, and deepens social tensions. Together with the xenophobic discourse of right-wing politicians, this becomes an explosive mix.

Venezuela’s crisis is also fuelling the expansion of criminal networks that have ruled the region for decades, as they take advantage of the economic crisis along the border.

Take cocaine production, for example. Colombian coca cultivation has increased, especially near the border with Venezuela. As one civil society leader from Colombia told our research team, a “labour force from Venezuela is arriving at the coca cultivations”.

The money Venezuelans can make in coca farming exceeds normal salaries back home, and may be the only income option available. This constant availability of labour then allows armed groups to keep the cocaine business going.

Yet this is not just about drugs. As I show in my new book Borderland Battles, the Colombia-Venezuela border features many illicit flows, including of weapons, gasoline and people. These are boosted by the crisis, with more Venezuelan women and children being trafficked.

Furthermore, according to interviewees from the Venezuelan state of Táchira, it is increasingly common to hear Mexican accents in Venezuelan border towns. This reflects the steady expansion of Mexican drug cartels into the region, intensifying violent competition over the business.

Risking peace in Colombia

Upheaval in Venezuela has also intensified the cross-border violence related to Colombia’s armed conflict. While Colombian guerrillas have used Venezuela as a safe haven for decades, their presence in the country has now become more complex.

Despite Colombia’s peace deal with the leftist guerrilla group, FARC, there is ongoing conflict with the ELN rebels, who are believed to operate in 12 Venezuelan states. At the same time, FARC dissidents have expanded their control over gold mining in southern Venezuela, and Colombian right-wing groups occupy Venezuela’s border regions. They gain strength in Venezuela to strike Colombia, while adding to Venezuela’s internal violence as they clash with state forces.

Further afield, incidents such as the US national security advisor writing “5,000 troops to Colombia” on his notepad serve only to escalate tensions.

Back in 2012, a human rights defender in Venezuela explained to me that the country needs to prepare itself for a US invasion, which would start via Colombia. For that reason, there are some who would welcome a FARC presence in Venezuela – as a “buffer”. Such a scenario was engraved in many of my interviewees’ minds, exposing the irresponsibility of reviving such fears.

Meanwhile, bodies of Venezuelan nationals killed in combat between Colombian state forces and guerrillas reveal that young Venezuelans in search of a better future have become easy recruits for the ELN, FARC dissidents, and other Colombian armed groups. Moreover, Venezuelan “colectivos”, radical left-wing groups, have expanded into Colombia’s border region.

Further violent escalation in Venezuela may give rise to a messy cross-border conflict, rather than civil war. Instead of the emergence of clear front lines, the Venezuelan state forces might fragment into factions loyal to Maduro, others supporting Guaidó, and yet others picking their own local leaders whose illicit business interests do not stop at the border, as the aid blockages may indicate.

With Colombia’s peace on shaky grounds and the ELN’s armed struggle continuing, both organised and “disorganised” violence could develop across the two countries.

Border control

The need for action is clear, but there are no easy fixes. Shutting Venezuela’s borders to avoid insecurity from “spilling over” would be irresponsible.

At long borders with rough terrain, such as the Colombian-Venezuelan one that extends 1,378 miles (comparable to the 1,954-mile US-Mexican border), porous areas are inevitable. Violent entrepreneurs use them to their advantage while suffering people are stuck. This happened in 2015 after Maduro closed the border: illicit flows kept thriving, but people’s needs remained unmet.

Even a complete border closure serves to incentivise more illicit cross-border activities because with increased risk comes increased prices and profits. Instead, curbing people’s insecurity amid Venezuela’s turmoil requires a dual approach.

In Venezuela, calls for unity and democracy need to extend to the military to contain violence effectively. In the borderlands, humanitarian assistance to Venezuelan refugees must be combined with long term support for communities to “absorb” them by stepping up the provision of services and sustainable job opportunities.

Sadly, violence knows no borders. But nor do humanitarian principles and solidarity. Venezuela’s political future may still be uncertain, but one thing is sure: turning a blind eye to the border region is no longer an option. Borderland communities’ security must come first.

*Dr Annette Idler is the Director of Studies at the Changing Character of War Centre, and Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford.

(This article was originally published on the Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/venezuela-a-humanitarian-and-security-crisis-on-the-border-with-colombia-112240">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

*By- Annette Idler As the crisis in Venezuela continues, aid trucks are being blocked at the border with Colombia. But this development isn’t only about the two men claiming to be the country’s rightful president: it’s also about the borderlands themselves.

*By- Annette Idler As the crisis in Venezuela continues, aid trucks are being blocked at the border with Colombia. But this development isn’t only about the two men claiming to be the country’s rightful president: it’s also about the borderlands themselves. The Colombia-Venezuela border is home to some of the worst violence and organised crime in the region. Aid blockages can be seen as yet another manifestation of these problems, with armed groups playing power games at the expense of vulnerable local people. Concerns that Venezuela’s instability could extend beyond its borders have already materialised – 3 million citizens have left the country. Most of them are “absorbed” by borderland communities, pressurising already strained governance systems. As our research shows, the pressure on basic services in these communities that have been deficient anyway – health, access to food and jobs – fuels crime, prostitution, and begging, and deepens social tensions. Together with the xenophobic discourse of right-wing politicians, this becomes an explosive mix. Venezuela’s crisis is also fuelling the expansion of criminal networks that have ruled the region for decades, as they take advantage of the economic crisis along the border. Take cocaine production, for example. Colombian coca cultivation has increased, especially near the border with Venezuela. As one civil society leader from Colombia told our research team, a “labour force from Venezuela is arriving at the coca cultivations”. The money Venezuelans can make in coca farming exceeds normal salaries back home, and may be the only income option available. This constant availability of labour then allows armed groups to keep the cocaine business going. Yet this is not just about drugs. As I show in my new book Borderland Battles, the Colombia-Venezuela border features many illicit flows, including of weapons, gasoline and people. These are boosted by the crisis, with more Venezuelan women and children being trafficked. Furthermore, according to interviewees from the Venezuelan state of Táchira, it is increasingly common to hear Mexican accents in Venezuelan border towns. This reflects the steady expansion of Mexican drug cartels into the region, intensifying violent competition over the business. Risking peace in Colombia Upheaval in Venezuela has also intensified the cross-border violence related to Colombia’s armed conflict. While Colombian guerrillas have used Venezuela as a safe haven for decades, their presence in the country has now become more complex. Despite Colombia’s peace deal with the leftist guerrilla group, FARC, there is ongoing conflict with the ELN rebels, who are believed to operate in 12 Venezuelan states. At the same time, FARC dissidents have expanded their control over gold mining in southern Venezuela, and Colombian right-wing groups occupy Venezuela’s border regions. They gain strength in Venezuela to strike Colombia, while adding to Venezuela’s internal violence as they clash with state forces. Further afield, incidents such as the US national security advisor writing “5,000 troops to Colombia” on his notepad serve only to escalate tensions. Back in 2012, a human rights defender in Venezuela explained to me that the country needs to prepare itself for a US invasion, which would start via Colombia. For that reason, there are some who would welcome a FARC presence in Venezuela – as a “buffer”. Such a scenario was engraved in many of my interviewees’ minds, exposing the irresponsibility of reviving such fears. Meanwhile, bodies of Venezuelan nationals killed in combat between Colombian state forces and guerrillas reveal that young Venezuelans in search of a better future have become easy recruits for the ELN, FARC dissidents, and other Colombian armed groups. Moreover, Venezuelan “colectivos”, radical left-wing groups, have expanded into Colombia’s border region. Further violent escalation in Venezuela may give rise to a messy cross-border conflict, rather than civil war. Instead of the emergence of clear front lines, the Venezuelan state forces might fragment into factions loyal to Maduro, others supporting Guaidó, and yet others picking their own local leaders whose illicit business interests do not stop at the border, as the aid blockages may indicate. With Colombia’s peace on shaky grounds and the ELN’s armed struggle continuing, both organised and “disorganised” violence could develop across the two countries. Border control The need for action is clear, but there are no easy fixes. Shutting Venezuela’s borders to avoid insecurity from “spilling over” would be irresponsible. At long borders with rough terrain, such as the Colombian-Venezuelan one that extends 1,378 miles (comparable to the 1,954-mile US-Mexican border), porous areas are inevitable. Violent entrepreneurs use them to their advantage while suffering people are stuck. This happened in 2015 after Maduro closed the border: illicit flows kept thriving, but people’s needs remained unmet. Even a complete border closure serves to incentivise more illicit cross-border activities because with increased risk comes increased prices and profits. Instead, curbing people’s insecurity amid Venezuela’s turmoil requires a dual approach. In Venezuela, calls for unity and democracy need to extend to the military to contain violence effectively. In the borderlands, humanitarian assistance to Venezuelan refugees must be combined with long term support for communities to “absorb” them by stepping up the provision of services and sustainable job opportunities. Sadly, violence knows no borders. But nor do humanitarian principles and solidarity. Venezuela’s political future may still be uncertain, but one thing is sure: turning a blind eye to the border region is no longer an option. Borderland communities’ security must come first. *Dr Annette Idler is the Director of Studies at the Changing Character of War Centre, and Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford. (This article was originally published on the Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Venezuela needs to tackle growing humanitarian and security crisis at the border

Five European lawmakers who were expelled from Venezuela said Monday they would try to re-enter the country via Colombia along with a shipment of humanitarian aid sent by the United States.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/european-lawmakers-invited-by-venezuelas-guaido-barred-from-entering-197994">European Parliament members were tossed out of Venezuela</a> with no explanation on Sunday shortly after they arrived in Caracas, according to Spanish MEP Esteban Gonzalez Pons who led the group.

But after he returned to Madrid, Pons said he received a phone call from Colombia's foreign minister inviting the five to go to his country on Saturday.

"We have accepted the invitation and... we are going to try to cross over with rations and medicine from Cucuta," Pons told reporters in Madrid, referring to the Colombian border city where US humanitarian aid is being stockpiled for planned delivery to Venezuela.

The expulsion of the lawmakers is the latest point of tension between the international community and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is in the grip of a power struggle with opposition leader Juan Guaido, the head of the National Assembly who proclaimed himself interim president last month.

Pons said the five had been invited by Guaido to visit Venezuela. The delegation included two other Spanish lawmakers as well as one each from Portugal and the Netherlands.

Writing on Twitter, Guaido said the MEPs had been "deported by an isolated and increasingly irrational regime".

Both Spain and France have condemned Venezuela's decision to kick them out.

Five European lawmakers who were expelled from Venezuela said Monday they would try to re-enter the country via Colombia along with a shipment of humanitarian aid sent by the United States.

Five European lawmakers who were expelled from Venezuela said Monday they would try to re-enter the country via Colombia along with a shipment of humanitarian aid sent by the United States. The European Parliament members were tossed out of Venezuela with no explanation on Sunday shortly after they arrived in Caracas, according to Spanish MEP Esteban Gonzalez Pons who led the group. But after he returned to Madrid, Pons said he received a phone call from Colombia's foreign minister inviting the five to go to his country on Saturday. "We have accepted the invitation and... we are going to try to cross over with rations and medicine from Cucuta," Pons told reporters in Madrid, referring to the Colombian border city where US humanitarian aid is being stockpiled for planned delivery to Venezuela. The expulsion of the lawmakers is the latest point of tension between the international community and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is in the grip of a power struggle with opposition leader Juan Guaido, the head of the National Assembly who proclaimed himself interim president last month. Pons said the five had been invited by Guaido to visit Venezuela. The delegation included two other Spanish lawmakers as well as one each from Portugal and the Netherlands. Writing on Twitter, Guaido said the MEPs had been "deported by an isolated and increasingly irrational regime". Both Spain and France have condemned Venezuela's decision to kick them out.

Expelled EU lawmakers plan to re-enter Venezuela via Colombia

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-colombian-president-meet-over-venezuela-crisis-197229">President Donald Trump </a>on Wednesday was mum on whether the United States would deploy 5,000 troops to Colombia to exert more pressure on Venezuela's leftist government but said he had many options for securing regime change.

"Our militaries are very focused and working together. And let's see how it all turns out," Trump told reporters during a meeting with Colombian counterpart Ivan Duque at the White House's Oval Office.

"We're going to make things turn out well. That's what we do. We make things work."

One of the reporters asked Trump about the controversial phrase "5,000 troops to Colombia" that could be read on a legal pad that National Security Adviser John Bolton carried into a press briefing on new Venezuela sanctions late last month.

"You'll see," Trump merely said, having earlier stated that he never talks about troop deployments. "There are a number of different solutions, a number of different options. And we look at all options."

Asked if he has a plan B if Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro does not hand over power to the speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, Juan Guaido, who in January proclaimed himself to be the country's legitimate head of state, Trump said he always has "plan B - and C, and D, and E, and F."

"I have great flexibility. I probably have more flexibility than any man that's ever been in this office."

The United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and France are among the countries that say Maduro's May 2018 re-election victory was a sham and have recognized Guaido as the interim president of oil-rich Venezuela.

"A lot of things are happening in Venezuela that people don't know about. And there's a lot of support for what we're doing ... tremendous support," Trump said.

"I have great respect for the man that most people, many people, think is the real president," Trump said about Guaido, though without mentioning him by name.

"He's very brave ... I've seen what's happened in the streets and I've seen what's happened with executions, so I really give him a lot of credit. And I think it's going to work out very well."

Referring to a plan to deliver US humanitarian aid via Colombia to Venezuela, which has been racked by longstanding shortages of basic goods and hyperinflation, Trump said Maduro was "making a terrible mistake" in using his military to attempt to stop those supplies from entering.

Maduro says the US - which stepped up its pressure on Venezuela by imposing severe sanctions it's oil industry late last month - is to blame for the country's economic woes and says the offer of humanitarian assistance is a pretext for a military invasion.

"They have to be able to let the food in. And in many cases, it's getting in. They blocked one of the bridges, but they haven't been able to block the others. They'd like to try," Trump said.

Asked whether the US would be prepared to offer Maduro amnesty if he relinquishes power, Trump said that option had not been considered.

Duque, for his part, said Maduro's refusal to allow the entry of humanitarian aid constituted a "crime against humanity."

"I am very happy that the diplomatic blockade is working like no time before it, and I think the days for this dictatorship are about to end. We have to continue working in those lines," the Colombian president said.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday was mum on whether the United States would deploy 5,000 troops to Colombia to exert more pressure on Venezuela's leftist government but said he had many options for securing regime change.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday was mum on whether the United States would deploy 5,000 troops to Colombia to exert more pressure on Venezuela's leftist government but said he had many options for securing regime change. "Our militaries are very focused and working together. And let's see how it all turns out," Trump told reporters during a meeting with Colombian counterpart Ivan Duque at the White House's Oval Office. "We're going to make things turn out well. That's what we do. We make things work." One of the reporters asked Trump about the controversial phrase "5,000 troops to Colombia" that could be read on a legal pad that National Security Adviser John Bolton carried into a press briefing on new Venezuela sanctions late last month. "You'll see," Trump merely said, having earlier stated that he never talks about troop deployments. "There are a number of different solutions, a number of different options. And we look at all options." Asked if he has a plan B if Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro does not hand over power to the speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, Juan Guaido, who in January proclaimed himself to be the country's legitimate head of state, Trump said he always has "plan B - and C, and D, and E, and F." "I have great flexibility. I probably have more flexibility than any man that's ever been in this office." The United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and France are among the countries that say Maduro's May 2018 re-election victory was a sham and have recognized Guaido as the interim president of oil-rich Venezuela. "A lot of things are happening in Venezuela that people don't know about. And there's a lot of support for what we're doing ... tremendous support," Trump said. "I have great respect for the man that most people, many people, think is the real president," Trump said about Guaido, though without mentioning him by name. "He's very brave ... I've seen what's happened in the streets and I've seen what's happened with executions, so I really give him a lot of credit. And I think it's going to work out very well." Referring to a plan to deliver US humanitarian aid via Colombia to Venezuela, which has been racked by longstanding shortages of basic goods and hyperinflation, Trump said Maduro was "making a terrible mistake" in using his military to attempt to stop those supplies from entering. Maduro says the US - which stepped up its pressure on Venezuela by imposing severe sanctions it's oil industry late last month - is to blame for the country's economic woes and says the offer of humanitarian assistance is a pretext for a military invasion. "They have to be able to let the food in. And in many cases, it's getting in. They blocked one of the bridges, but they haven't been able to block the others. They'd like to try," Trump said. Asked whether the US would be prepared to offer Maduro amnesty if he relinquishes power, Trump said that option had not been considered. Duque, for his part, said Maduro's refusal to allow the entry of humanitarian aid constituted a "crime against humanity." "I am very happy that the diplomatic blockade is working like no time before it, and I think the days for this dictatorship are about to end. We have to continue working in those lines," the Colombian president said.

I have plan B, plan C and plan D on Venezuela, says Trump

The crisis that Venezuela is going through has caused a famine on such a scale that it merits the immediate opening of a humanitarian aid corridor into the country, a young politician currently living in exile in neighbouring Colombia has said in an exclusive interview published by EFE on Monday.

The 33-year-old Gaby Arellano, who entered parliament three years ago, belongs to the same Voluntad Popular (Popular Will) political party as interim president Juan Guaidó and who had to go into exile in April, said that in her opinion the levels of hunger and privation in her country are as bad as those in countries at war or which have been hit by natural disasters.

"Unfortunately humanitarian corridors are activated in countries at war or with natural disasters, neither of which has happened in our country, but it really has to be initiated because the famine here exceeds that of many such countries," the exiled lawmaker told EFE in Cúcuta, across the border in Colombia.

More than 61 per cent of Venezuelans descended into poverty and lost more than 10 kilos in body weight in 2017, according to a Survey on Living Conditions (Encovi) carried out annually by the country's main universities and which was published last month.

Arellano had to flee into exile to avoid arrest for having backed a Supreme Court ruling stating that Maduro should be put on trial.

She is the lawmaker who has been entrusted by Guaidó, who has so far been recognized by some 40 countries as interim president of Venezuela, to receive international humanitarian aid in the border city of Cúcuta.

The first batch of aid arrived there on Thursday and, according to Arellano, tons more food aid will begin to flow in soon.

"We are working with two more countries that are to begin sending aid via Colombia and want to open other crossing points at our country's borders, not just here in Cúcuta," she said. "This town has the largest collection centre and has been prepared with facilities for coping with a process like this," she added.

Arellano said that Guaidó is to "make important announcements" on Tuesday on the entry of humanitarian aid into Venezuela and will explain "how and when."

Youth Day is to be celebrated then and Guaidó has called for the public to mobilize against Nicolás Maduro, whom he considers a "usurper" of the presidency, Arellano said.

Arellano added that dozens of volunteers were working at a collection centre on Tienditas bridge, a modern structure that unites Venezuela to Colombia which has yet to be opened by the Maduro government. She said that the regime has refused to receive aid because Maduro considers it to be a political show.

The bridge was inaugurated in 2016 but has remained unused due to constant border closures, local residents have told EFE.

"The usurping regime seeks, by every means, to misinform, demotivate and divide our efforts and president Guaidó works tirelessly to unite, to be consistent, to be responsible, to work on a strategy that will advance things at a steady pace," she said.

Arellano said she was convinced that it will be the people of Venezuela who will go out to tear down "the walls of the dictatorship," referring to two containers and a cistern truck that have been placed across Tienditas bridge to prevent its use.

"We are convinced that today there is an overwhelming need to trigger a popular mobilization," she said.

Arellano said that while Guaidó had popular and international support, he now just needs Venezuela's army, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), to recognize him as their only commander in chief.

"There is a plan, there is a route, inside and outside the country, I think that has to be emphasized," she said.

She also criticized Maduro for saying that there was no crisis in his country, like for example when he gave a press conference on Friday at the Miraflores Palace presidential residence.

"What can there be left for the rest of the Venezuelan people if the lights go out during a live broadcast by Maduro in the Miraflores Palace," she asked. "That was a clear sign of the decay that exists in our country."

The crisis that Venezuela is going through has caused a famine on such a scale that it merits the immediate opening of a humanitarian aid corridor into the country, a young politician currently living in exile in neighbouring Colombia has said in an exclusive interview published by EFE on Monday.

The crisis that Venezuela is going through has caused a famine on such a scale that it merits the immediate opening of a humanitarian aid corridor into the country, a young politician currently living in exile in neighbouring Colombia has said in an exclusive interview published by EFE on Monday. The 33-year-old Gaby Arellano, who entered parliament three years ago, belongs to the same Voluntad Popular (Popular Will) political party as interim president Juan Guaidó and who had to go into exile in April, said that in her opinion the levels of hunger and privation in her country are as bad as those in countries at war or which have been hit by natural disasters. "Unfortunately humanitarian corridors are activated in countries at war or with natural disasters, neither of which has happened in our country, but it really has to be initiated because the famine here exceeds that of many such countries," the exiled lawmaker told EFE in Cúcuta, across the border in Colombia. More than 61 per cent of Venezuelans descended into poverty and lost more than 10 kilos in body weight in 2017, according to a Survey on Living Conditions (Encovi) carried out annually by the country's main universities and which was published last month. Arellano had to flee into exile to avoid arrest for having backed a Supreme Court ruling stating that Maduro should be put on trial. She is the lawmaker who has been entrusted by Guaidó, who has so far been recognized by some 40 countries as interim president of Venezuela, to receive international humanitarian aid in the border city of Cúcuta. The first batch of aid arrived there on Thursday and, according to Arellano, tons more food aid will begin to flow in soon. "We are working with two more countries that are to begin sending aid via Colombia and want to open other crossing points at our country's borders, not just here in Cúcuta," she said. "This town has the largest collection centre and has been prepared with facilities for coping with a process like this," she added. Arellano said that Guaidó is to "make important announcements" on Tuesday on the entry of humanitarian aid into Venezuela and will explain "how and when." Youth Day is to be celebrated then and Guaidó has called for the public to mobilize against Nicolás Maduro, whom he considers a "usurper" of the presidency, Arellano said. Arellano added that dozens of volunteers were working at a collection centre on Tienditas bridge, a modern structure that unites Venezuela to Colombia which has yet to be opened by the Maduro government. She said that the regime has refused to receive aid because Maduro considers it to be a political show. The bridge was inaugurated in 2016 but has remained unused due to constant border closures, local residents have told EFE. "The usurping regime seeks, by every means, to misinform, demotivate and divide our efforts and president Guaidó works tirelessly to unite, to be consistent, to be responsible, to work on a strategy that will advance things at a steady pace," she said. Arellano said she was convinced that it will be the people of Venezuela who will go out to tear down "the walls of the dictatorship," referring to two containers and a cistern truck that have been placed across Tienditas bridge to prevent its use. "We are convinced that today there is an overwhelming need to trigger a popular mobilization," she said. Arellano said that while Guaidó had popular and international support, he now just needs Venezuela's army, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), to recognize him as their only commander in chief. "There is a plan, there is a route, inside and outside the country, I think that has to be emphasized," she said. She also criticized Maduro for saying that there was no crisis in his country, like for example when he gave a press conference on Friday at the Miraflores Palace presidential residence. "What can there be left for the rest of the Venezuelan people if the lights go out during a live broadcast by Maduro in the Miraflores Palace," she asked. "That was a clear sign of the decay that exists in our country."

Exiled lawmaker: Hunger levels in Venezuela exceed those in countries at war

Yajaira Gonzalez cries as she gathers with hundreds of other Venezuelans across the Colombian border from her homeland.

A 64-year-old with greying hair, she used to back the socialist regime in her native Venezuela — until her country's economic meltdown forced her to flee.

Now she is begging Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to let through foreign humanitarian aid — food, medicine and personal hygiene gear — to her desperate compatriots back home.

"It is not like you say, that we are doing OK," said Gonzalez, referring to Maduro. "Mr&nbsp;President, we are not OK. We are suffering."

The issue of the US and other foreign aid has become the latest focus in a struggle between Maduro and<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-challenging-maduro-through-humanitarian-aid-195434"> national assembly speaker Juan Guaido</a>.

Guaido last month declared himself interim president and is now recognized as such by some 40 countries, led by the United States.

Guaido is in favour of accepting aid. But Maduro says it would be the first step toward a military invasion by the United States — whom the socialist leader blames for the economic crisis.

Gonzalez said she used to be a Chavista, or supporter of Maduro's predecessor, the late socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez — but not anymore.

Suffering from Venezuela's hyperinflation and acute shortages of basic goods, she fled from Venezuela to the city of Villa del Rosario in Colombia.

The United Nations says the crisis has prompted 2.3 million Venezuelans like her to flee their country since 2015.

Bridge blocked&nbsp;

When it was announced that any aid that arrives will be only for Venezuelans living inside their country, ones who had migrated into Colombia gathered at the border to see what they could get.

Meters away from where Gonzalez stands are warehouses that the Colombian government has set up to collect medicine, non-perishable food and hygiene kits financed by the US government. More such aid has been pledged from Brazil and an as yet unidentified Caribbean island.

Maduro has refused to let in the aid.

His military has blocked a border bridge over which the aid could have passed into Venezuela.

Two huge blue freight containers and the rear part of a fuel tanker truck have been placed across all three spans of the Tienditas bridge, which connects Cucuta in Colombia with Urena in Venezuela.&nbsp;

'A friend died '&nbsp;

Around 35,000 people per day continue to use an alternative crossing: old bridge named after South American liberator Simon Bolivar.

On that ageing span, an engineer named Dajelys Lopez trudges along pushing a stroller with her newborn baby, hoping to find in Cucuta what she cannot get in Venezuela.

Her face is marked with the pain of having seen people close to her suffer in the economic crisis.

"Yesterday a friend died because he suffered a seizure and did not have medication to deal with it," Lopez said.

Aid pledges&nbsp;

Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo has said that planes carrying aid for Venezuela have arrived in Colombia.

Washington has pledged $20 million (17.6 million euros) in aid, while Canada has pledged $40 million and the EU $7.5 million.

Colombia and Venezuela have had practically no diplomatic relations since mid-2017. Colombian President Ivan Duque is one of the most outspoken leaders against the Maduro dictatorship.

Duque has led a diplomatic offensive aiming to pressure Maduro to resign and make way for new elections.

Guaido has appealed to the Venezuelan military — a critical source of support for Maduro — to let in the aid.

The standoff will be a key test for the unity of the Venezuelan military high command, which so far has maintained its public backing for Maduro.

Venezuela's army has to choose between "a dictatorship that does not have an iota of humanity, or to side with the constitution", Guaido said in an interview on Colombian radio.

Amid the war of words, life went on as usual at the border, with police on both sides carrying out routine patrols.

Maduro has repeatedly blamed Venezuela's crisis on what he calls an "economic war" against his oil-rich country by the United States.

The US has declined to rule out military intervention.

"I was a Chavista! I was a Chavista!" Gonzalez said, her voice breaking.

"But I want (Maduro) to surrender the presidency so we Venezuelans can live in peace."

Yajaira Gonzalez cries as she gathers with hundreds of other Venezuelans across the Colombian border from her homeland. A 64-year-old with greying hair, she used to back the socialist regime in her native Venezuela — until her country's economic meltdown forced her to flee.

Yajaira Gonzalez cries as she gathers with hundreds of other Venezuelans across the Colombian border from her homeland. A 64-year-old with greying hair, she used to back the socialist regime in her native Venezuela — until her country's economic meltdown forced her to flee. Now she is begging Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to let through foreign humanitarian aid — food, medicine and personal hygiene gear — to her desperate compatriots back home. "It is not like you say, that we are doing OK," said Gonzalez, referring to Maduro. "Mr President, we are not OK. We are suffering." The issue of the US and other foreign aid has become the latest focus in a struggle between Maduro and national assembly speaker Juan Guaido. Guaido last month declared himself interim president and is now recognized as such by some 40 countries, led by the United States. Guaido is in favour of accepting aid. But Maduro says it would be the first step toward a military invasion by the United States — whom the socialist leader blames for the economic crisis. Gonzalez said she used to be a Chavista, or supporter of Maduro's predecessor, the late socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez — but not anymore. Suffering from Venezuela's hyperinflation and acute shortages of basic goods, she fled from Venezuela to the city of Villa del Rosario in Colombia. The United Nations says the crisis has prompted 2.3 million Venezuelans like her to flee their country since 2015. Bridge blocked When it was announced that any aid that arrives will be only for Venezuelans living inside their country, ones who had migrated into Colombia gathered at the border to see what they could get. Meters away from where Gonzalez stands are warehouses that the Colombian government has set up to collect medicine, non-perishable food and hygiene kits financed by the US government. More such aid has been pledged from Brazil and an as yet unidentified Caribbean island. Maduro has refused to let in the aid. His military has blocked a border bridge over which the aid could have passed into Venezuela. Two huge blue freight containers and the rear part of a fuel tanker truck have been placed across all three spans of the Tienditas bridge, which connects Cucuta in Colombia with Urena in Venezuela. 'A friend died ' Around 35,000 people per day continue to use an alternative crossing: old bridge named after South American liberator Simon Bolivar. On that ageing span, an engineer named Dajelys Lopez trudges along pushing a stroller with her newborn baby, hoping to find in Cucuta what she cannot get in Venezuela. Her face is marked with the pain of having seen people close to her suffer in the economic crisis. "Yesterday a friend died because he suffered a seizure and did not have medication to deal with it," Lopez said. Aid pledges Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo has said that planes carrying aid for Venezuela have arrived in Colombia. Washington has pledged $20 million (17.6 million euros) in aid, while Canada has pledged $40 million and the EU $7.5 million. Colombia and Venezuela have had practically no diplomatic relations since mid-2017. Colombian President Ivan Duque is one of the most outspoken leaders against the Maduro dictatorship. Duque has led a diplomatic offensive aiming to pressure Maduro to resign and make way for new elections. Guaido has appealed to the Venezuelan military — a critical source of support for Maduro — to let in the aid. The standoff will be a key test for the unity of the Venezuelan military high command, which so far has maintained its public backing for Maduro. Venezuela's army has to choose between "a dictatorship that does not have an iota of humanity, or to side with the constitution", Guaido said in an interview on Colombian radio. Amid the war of words, life went on as usual at the border, with police on both sides carrying out routine patrols. Maduro has repeatedly blamed Venezuela's crisis on what he calls an "economic war" against his oil-rich country by the United States. The US has declined to rule out military intervention. "I was a Chavista! I was a Chavista!" Gonzalez said, her voice breaking. "But I want (Maduro) to surrender the presidency so we Venezuelans can live in peace."

At Colombia border, Venezuelans hunger for aid

Colombia's armed forces clashed Saturday with FARC dissident rebels, killing 10 from the group that split from the 2016 peace process.

Army special forces and police launched an operation in Caqueta department, in which a longtime group leader Rodrigo Cadete, 52, was killed.

"Another nine guerrillas we killed; we have several captures and the fighting continues in the region," Defense chief Guillermo Botero said in a statement in Manizales.

Though some 7,000 members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) laid down their arms, about 1,700 are still in the insurgent struggle funded by drug money, military intelligence says.

With no unified command, dissidents operate in remote areas where they fight other groups to control drug trafficking and drug trafficking routes.

Colombia has experienced relative calm since the 2016 peace deal signed by then-president Juan Manuel Santos and FARC rebels.

With the landmark agreement turning the FARC into a political party, the smaller ELN is considered the last active rebel group in the country.

True to his election promises, President Ivan Duque, who took office last August, has taken a hard line against the ELN, including his demand they release all hostages as a prerequisite to kick-starting their peace process.

Colombia's armed forces clashed Saturday with FARC dissident rebels, killing 10 from the group that split from the 2016 peace process. Army special forces and police launched an operation in Caqueta department, in which a longtime group leader Rodrigo Cadete, 52, was killed.

Colombia's armed forces clashed Saturday with FARC dissident rebels, killing 10 from the group that split from the 2016 peace process. Army special forces and police launched an operation in Caqueta department, in which a longtime group leader Rodrigo Cadete, 52, was killed. "Another nine guerrillas we killed; we have several captures and the fighting continues in the region," Defense chief Guillermo Botero said in a statement in Manizales. Though some 7,000 members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) laid down their arms, about 1,700 are still in the insurgent struggle funded by drug money, military intelligence says. With no unified command, dissidents operate in remote areas where they fight other groups to control drug trafficking and drug trafficking routes. Colombia has experienced relative calm since the 2016 peace deal signed by then-president Juan Manuel Santos and FARC rebels. With the landmark agreement turning the FARC into a political party, the smaller ELN is considered the last active rebel group in the country. True to his election promises, President Ivan Duque, who took office last August, has taken a hard line against the ELN, including his demand they release all hostages as a prerequisite to kick-starting their peace process.

Ten killed in Colombia clash with FARC splinter group

Hosts Brazil were given a kind draw and will face Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia in the 2019 Copa America, a tournament they have not won since 2007 and one they will be under huge pressure to win on home soil.

Thursday's draw also placed Argentina, another side desperate for a major title after an even longer trophy drought, with Colombia, Paraguay and invited team Qatar.

The third of the three top seeds Uruguay are in perhaps the most difficult Group C, along with the other invited side Japan, plus Ecuador and reigning champions Chile.

This year's tournament will kick off with Brazil against Bolivia in Sao Paulo on June 14 and take place in five Brazilian cities. The final is at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium on July 7.

"People have questioned me about the draw and some said, it's easy, others said, be careful," Brazil coach Tite said. "Our responsibility is to perform at the highest level, to play with joy and to be proud of representing Brazil."

"We need to play really well, and that's how you become champions."

The draw at a cavernous Rio concert hall was led by former Brazil captain Cafu and aided by soccer luminaries like former Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti, Uruguayan Diego Lugano and six times FIFA Player of the year Marta.

It marked the starting gun for what promises to be a high pressure year for both Brazil and Argentina.

The host nation have not won a major title since lifting the Copa America in 2007 and coach Tite, whose side were knocked out the World Cup at the quarter-final stage last year, is under pressure to deliver some silverware.

Argentina, meanwhile, have reached the last two finals of the Copa America and lost both times on penalties. Another loss would extend a trophy drought that stretches back to 1993.

The two-times World Cup winners will come to the tournament with Lionel Scaloni in charge and although the interim coach, who has a contract until after the Copa, would not be drawn on his rivals he said his aim was to triumph.

"It's going to be difficult and no matter who we play we have to win," he told reporters. "The idea is that we are as good as anyone; we just need to keep notching up the victories."

They could also be without Lionel Messi. The Barcelona forward took a sabbatical from international soccer after a disappointing World Cup in Russia and has not said whether he will return to play in Brazil.

The Copa America is the oldest international tournament in the world and is played between the 10 South American nations and invited teams.

In addition to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, matches will be held in Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte and Salvador.

"Undoubtedly, there is always a great respect and admiration for Brazil's footballing culture," said Chilean coach Reinaldo Rueda.

"I think that will guarantee a great tournament."

Hosts Brazil were given a kind draw and will face Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia in the 2019 Copa America, a tournament they have not won since 2007 and one they will be under huge pressure to win on home soil.

Hosts Brazil were given a kind draw and will face Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia in the 2019 Copa America, a tournament they have not won since 2007 and one they will be under huge pressure to win on home soil. Thursday's draw also placed Argentina, another side desperate for a major title after an even longer trophy drought, with Colombia, Paraguay and invited team Qatar. The third of the three top seeds Uruguay are in perhaps the most difficult Group C, along with the other invited side Japan, plus Ecuador and reigning champions Chile. This year's tournament will kick off with Brazil against Bolivia in Sao Paulo on June 14 and take place in five Brazilian cities. The final is at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium on July 7. "People have questioned me about the draw and some said, it's easy, others said, be careful," Brazil coach Tite said. "Our responsibility is to perform at the highest level, to play with joy and to be proud of representing Brazil." "We need to play really well, and that's how you become champions." The draw at a cavernous Rio concert hall was led by former Brazil captain Cafu and aided by soccer luminaries like former Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti, Uruguayan Diego Lugano and six times FIFA Player of the year Marta. It marked the starting gun for what promises to be a high pressure year for both Brazil and Argentina. The host nation have not won a major title since lifting the Copa America in 2007 and coach Tite, whose side were knocked out the World Cup at the quarter-final stage last year, is under pressure to deliver some silverware. Argentina, meanwhile, have reached the last two finals of the Copa America and lost both times on penalties. Another loss would extend a trophy drought that stretches back to 1993. The two-times World Cup winners will come to the tournament with Lionel Scaloni in charge and although the interim coach, who has a contract until after the Copa, would not be drawn on his rivals he said his aim was to triumph. "It's going to be difficult and no matter who we play we have to win," he told reporters. "The idea is that we are as good as anyone; we just need to keep notching up the victories." They could also be without Lionel Messi. The Barcelona forward took a sabbatical from international soccer after a disappointing World Cup in Russia and has not said whether he will return to play in Brazil. The Copa America is the oldest international tournament in the world and is played between the 10 South American nations and invited teams. In addition to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, matches will be held in Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte and Salvador. "Undoubtedly, there is always a great respect and admiration for Brazil's footballing culture," said Chilean coach Reinaldo Rueda. "I think that will guarantee a great tournament."

Hosts Brazil face Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia in Copa America

A car bomb attack on a police cadet training academy killed 10 people and wounded 65 on Thursday in Bogota, making it the worst such incident in the Colombian capital in 16 years.

The defense ministry said the "terrorist act" was carried out using a vehicle packed with 80 kilograms (around 175 pounds) of explosives.

"All Colombians reject terrorism and we're united in fighting it," President Ivan Duque tweeted.

Vowing to bring those responsible to justice, Duque added: "COLOMBIA is sad but will not bow to violence." The bomber -- who authorities confirmed was killed in the attack -- struck at the General Francisco de Paula Santander Officer's School in the south of Bogota during a promotion ceremony for cadets.

No group has claimed responsibility, but public prosecutor Nestor Humberto Martinez named suspect Jose Aldemar Rojas Rodriguez as the "material author of this abominable crime." Martinez said Rojas Rodriguez entered the school compound at 9:30 am (1430 GMT) driving a grey 1993 Nissan Patrol truck, but gave no details about the explosion.

He said the truck underwent an inspection in July in the Arauco department on the border with Venezuela -- a traditional stronghold of ELN Marxist guerrillas.

The defense ministry said an investigation had been opened "to find those responsible for this terrorist act." Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno said one of the dead was an Ecuadoran cadet, while a second suffered light injuries.

"The brutal act of terrorism in Bogota took the life of a compatriot," Moreno said on Twitter.

"My sincerest thoughts go to the family, friends and companions of Erika Chico." Meanwhile, Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela that 45 Panamanian cadets were present during the attack, with two injured.

Fanny Contreras, the Colombian armed forces' health inspector, told local radio that the truck "entered (the school compound) suddenly, almost hitting the police, and then there was the explosion."&nbsp;

Carol Oviedo said her brother Jonathan, a cadet, told her on the phone he had been injured, before the connection was cut.

"In two years since he joined the police, he's never had to face a situation like this," she said.

Like other families, she was lingering in the vicinity of the academy hoping to hear some news.

United States assistant secretary of state in charge of Latin America, Kimberly Breier condemned the attack and said: "Our condolences and sympathies go to the victims and family members of those killed." The US embassy in Bogota offered its "help in investigating this reprehensible attack." Rosalba Jimenez, 62, was opening her confectionary store near the school when the bomb went off.

"When we turned to look at the school the sky was grey with smoke. People were running, sirens... Horrible, horrible, it seemed like the end of the world," Jimenez told AFP.

Authorities sealed off the area to the press and increased security service patrols in the south of the city, AFP reporters said.

Right-wing Duque, who assumed power in August, has peddled a tough line against Marxist rebels and drug traffickers in the largest cocaine producer in the world.

Peace talks with ELN guerrillas -- who in the past have claimed responsibility for bomb attacks on police -- stalled before Duque replaced Juan Manuel Santos as president, and have not been restarted.

Duque has made several demands, including the release of all hostages, as prerequisites to kick-starting the peace process, but the ELN has dismissed those as unacceptable.

After the 2016 peace accord signed by Santos and FARC guerrillas, turning the former rebels into a political party, the ELN is considered the last active rebel group in a country that has suffered more than half a century of conflict.

That cycle of violence has also involved paramilitaries, drug traffickers and other Marxist rebels, including FARC dissidents.

A year ago, six police died and 40 were injured in an attack on a police station in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla that was claimed by the ELN.

In February 2017, the ELN claimed responsibility for an attack on a police patrol in the Macarena neighbourhood of Bogota that left one officer dead and several seriously wounded.

In June, three people -- including a Frenchwoman -- were killed and nine others wounded in an attack on a Bogota shopping mall that authorities blamed on a fringe left-wing group called the Revolutionary People's Movement (MRP).&nbsp;

A car bomb attack on a police cadet training academy killed 10 people and wounded 65 on Thursday in Bogota, making it the worst such incident in the Colombian capital in 16 years.

A car bomb attack on a police cadet training academy killed 10 people and wounded 65 on Thursday in Bogota, making it the worst such incident in the Colombian capital in 16 years. The defense ministry said the "terrorist act" was carried out using a vehicle packed with 80 kilograms (around 175 pounds) of explosives. "All Colombians reject terrorism and we're united in fighting it," President Ivan Duque tweeted. Vowing to bring those responsible to justice, Duque added: "COLOMBIA is sad but will not bow to violence." The bomber -- who authorities confirmed was killed in the attack -- struck at the General Francisco de Paula Santander Officer's School in the south of Bogota during a promotion ceremony for cadets. No group has claimed responsibility, but public prosecutor Nestor Humberto Martinez named suspect Jose Aldemar Rojas Rodriguez as the "material author of this abominable crime." Martinez said Rojas Rodriguez entered the school compound at 9:30 am (1430 GMT) driving a grey 1993 Nissan Patrol truck, but gave no details about the explosion. He said the truck underwent an inspection in July in the Arauco department on the border with Venezuela -- a traditional stronghold of ELN Marxist guerrillas. The defense ministry said an investigation had been opened "to find those responsible for this terrorist act." Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno said one of the dead was an Ecuadoran cadet, while a second suffered light injuries. "The brutal act of terrorism in Bogota took the life of a compatriot," Moreno said on Twitter. "My sincerest thoughts go to the family, friends and companions of Erika Chico." Meanwhile, Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela that 45 Panamanian cadets were present during the attack, with two injured. Fanny Contreras, the Colombian armed forces' health inspector, told local radio that the truck "entered (the school compound) suddenly, almost hitting the police, and then there was the explosion." Carol Oviedo said her brother Jonathan, a cadet, told her on the phone he had been injured, before the connection was cut. "In two years since he joined the police, he's never had to face a situation like this," she said. Like other families, she was lingering in the vicinity of the academy hoping to hear some news. United States assistant secretary of state in charge of Latin America, Kimberly Breier condemned the attack and said: "Our condolences and sympathies go to the victims and family members of those killed." The US embassy in Bogota offered its "help in investigating this reprehensible attack." Rosalba Jimenez, 62, was opening her confectionary store near the school when the bomb went off. "When we turned to look at the school the sky was grey with smoke. People were running, sirens... Horrible, horrible, it seemed like the end of the world," Jimenez told AFP. Authorities sealed off the area to the press and increased security service patrols in the south of the city, AFP reporters said. Right-wing Duque, who assumed power in August, has peddled a tough line against Marxist rebels and drug traffickers in the largest cocaine producer in the world. Peace talks with ELN guerrillas -- who in the past have claimed responsibility for bomb attacks on police -- stalled before Duque replaced Juan Manuel Santos as president, and have not been restarted. Duque has made several demands, including the release of all hostages, as prerequisites to kick-starting the peace process, but the ELN has dismissed those as unacceptable. After the 2016 peace accord signed by Santos and FARC guerrillas, turning the former rebels into a political party, the ELN is considered the last active rebel group in a country that has suffered more than half a century of conflict. That cycle of violence has also involved paramilitaries, drug traffickers and other Marxist rebels, including FARC dissidents. A year ago, six police died and 40 were injured in an attack on a police station in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla that was claimed by the ELN. In February 2017, the ELN claimed responsibility for an attack on a police patrol in the Macarena neighbourhood of Bogota that left one officer dead and several seriously wounded. In June, three people -- including a Frenchwoman -- were killed and nine others wounded in an attack on a Bogota shopping mall that authorities blamed on a fringe left-wing group called the Revolutionary People's Movement (MRP).

Ten killed in car bomb attack on Colombian police academy

&nbsp;Colombian authorities evacuated a camp that housed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/major-migration-flows-in-the-last-decade-182125">Venezuelan</a> immigrants in the capital of Bogota on Tuesday, dismantling a temporary shelter even as the flow of refugees from the crisis-stricken neighbouring nation is expected to continue unabated.

Yellow tents that once housed families were piled into a corner of the football pitch that in November was turned into a temporary shelter for some 600 Venezuelan migrants who had previously been sleeping outside the city`s main bus terminal.&nbsp;

Carmen Nunez, who turned 58 on Tuesday, cried in front of authorities because she had no idea where to go now.

"Should I go to the street?" she said, with her walking stick in hand. "I have no money, but I want to go back to Venezuela, at least there I will have a place to stay."

She was offered transportation to the city of Cucuta on the Venezuelan border&nbsp;but does not have money to return to her home on the Venezuelan coast. Other migrants stood outside the tightly policed camp entrance with their belongings.

From the outset, Jan. 15 had been set as the camp`s closure date, partly in response to pressure from Colombians over the growing presence of migrants.&nbsp;

The United Nations says some 3 million people have left Venezuela since 2015, seeking an escape from a hyperinflationary economic collapse that has put basic food and medicine beyond the reach of most citizens.&nbsp;

Another 2 million are likely to emigrate in 2019, it estimates. The vast majority travel by land to Colombia, some on foot, though many continue on to other parts of South America.&nbsp;

Cristina Velez, Bogota`s Secretary of Social Integration, said in a press conference that the city did not plan to open any more shelters unless there were extraordinary circumstances that warranted doing so.

"I have no idea what we`re going to do," said Junior Palacios, 23, from Caracas, who was sitting outside of the evacuated camp with four friends.&nbsp;

"I don`t want to go back (to Venezuela). It`s a question of moving forward and building a life here somehow."

Colombian authorities evacuated a camp that housed Venezuelan immigrants in the capital of Bogota on Tuesday, dismantling a temporary shelter even as the flow of refugees from the crisis-stricken neighbouring nation is expected to continue unabated.

Colombian authorities evacuated a camp that housed Venezuelan immigrants in the capital of Bogota on Tuesday, dismantling a temporary shelter even as the flow of refugees from the crisis-stricken neighbouring nation is expected to continue unabated. Yellow tents that once housed families were piled into a corner of the football pitch that in November was turned into a temporary shelter for some 600 Venezuelan migrants who had previously been sleeping outside the city`s main bus terminal. Carmen Nunez, who turned 58 on Tuesday, cried in front of authorities because she had no idea where to go now. "Should I go to the street?" she said, with her walking stick in hand. "I have no money, but I want to go back to Venezuela, at least there I will have a place to stay." She was offered transportation to the city of Cucuta on the Venezuelan border but does not have money to return to her home on the Venezuelan coast. Other migrants stood outside the tightly policed camp entrance with their belongings. From the outset, Jan. 15 had been set as the camp`s closure date, partly in response to pressure from Colombians over the growing presence of migrants. The United Nations says some 3 million people have left Venezuela since 2015, seeking an escape from a hyperinflationary economic collapse that has put basic food and medicine beyond the reach of most citizens. Another 2 million are likely to emigrate in 2019, it estimates. The vast majority travel by land to Colombia, some on foot, though many continue on to other parts of South America. Cristina Velez, Bogota`s Secretary of Social Integration, said in a press conference that the city did not plan to open any more shelters unless there were extraordinary circumstances that warranted doing so. "I have no idea what we`re going to do," said Junior Palacios, 23, from Caracas, who was sitting outside of the evacuated camp with four friends. "I don`t want to go back (to Venezuela). It`s a question of moving forward and building a life here somehow."

Colombia clears migrant camp as Venezuela exodus continues

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