Colombia braces with alarm after Maduro's removal in Venezuela by US

"The Colombian government condemned Washington's early Saturday morning attacks on Venezuela which included strikes on military targets and Maduro's capture and announced plans to fortify its 2,219-kilometre (1,378-mile) eastern land border, a historic hotbed of rebellion and cocaine production. list of 3 itemsend of list Security analysts also say Maduro's deposition could aggravate an already deteriorating security situation in Colombia, while refugee advocacy groups warn the country would bear the brunt of possible migration waves triggered by the fallout from the intervention."

"The Colombian government held an emergency national security meeting at 3am (09:00GMT), according to President Gustavo Petro. The Colombian government condemns the attack on the sovereignty of Venezuela and Latin America, wrote the president in an X post, announcing the mobilisation of state forces to secure the border. The National Liberation Army (ELN), a left-wing group and the largest remaining rebel force in the country, have been vocal as recently as December in its preparations to defend the country against imperialist intervention."

"Security analysts say the primary national security risk to Colombia following the attacks stems from ELN, which controls nearly the entire border with Venezuela. I think there is a high risk now that the ELN will consider retaliation, including here in Colombia, against Western targets, said Elizabeth Dickinson, deputy director for Latin America at Crisis Group International. The rebel group is heavily involved in cocaine trafficking and operates on both sides of the border; it has benefited from ties"

The United States military removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in early strikes that included attacks on military targets and his capture. Colombia condemned the US operation and announced mobilisation of state forces and plans to fortify its 2,219-kilometre eastern land border, a historic hotbed of rebellion and cocaine production. The Colombian government held an emergency national security meeting. Analysts say the ELN, which controls nearly the entire border and is deeply involved in cocaine trafficking, poses a primary risk of retaliation. Refugee advocacy groups warn of possible migration waves that would place significant strain on Colombia’s resources and security.

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