The key facts

  • According to Blu Radio, at least 19 people were killed in the alleged strike in the area of Buena Vista del Meta (Apure state)
  • The identities of the deceased have not been officially confirmed; some of the wounded, according to preliminary reports, crossed into Colombian territory
  • Venezuela's transitional government led by Delcy Rodríguez, according to the radio station, has made no statement

What is reported about the alleged strike

At least 19 people were killed in an alleged bombing by the Venezuelan army of a camp of the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group near the Colombian border. This was reported by the Colombian radio station Blu Radio, citing preliminary information. According to the station, the strike was carried out on Friday in the hamlet of Buena Vista del Meta in Apure state. Neither the existence of the operation itself nor its details have been officially confirmed: the transitional government of Venezuela led by Delcy Rodríguez, according to the radio station, has made no statement on the matter.

Where the information comes from and what remains unconfirmed

A key feature of this news is its preliminary and unofficial nature. The information about the operation comes from former Venezuelan deputy Juan Francisco García Escalona, who coordinates the human rights organization Fundaredes in Apure state and said he had received testimony about a military operation in the area. According to preliminary reports, nine bodies were taken to the state capital, San Fernando de Apure, for forensic examination, another ten remained at the site, and an unknown number of wounded reportedly crossed into Colombian territory. Residents of Puerto Páez passed on names and document details allegedly found at the scene, but the identities of the deceased have not been officially confirmed. The alleged strike was also mentioned by Venezuelan human rights activist and military expert Rocío San Miguel in a post on the X platform.

Context: clashes in the border area

The report emerged against the backdrop of reports of armed clashes in Venezuela's border areas in recent weeks. According to García Escalona, residents and indigenous communities reported fighting in Los Pijiguaos in western Bolívar state and near Paso del Burro in the border zone of the Meta and Orinoco rivers. He himself linked these clashes to a struggle for control over mining areas, including bauxite and coltan. It is important to emphasize: the bombing itself remains 'alleged' — neither Venezuelan authorities nor an independent investigation have so far confirmed either the fact of the strike or the number of victims, and this information should be treated as unconfirmed reports.