President Maduro dispatches back-up teams against COVID-19 to Venezuela-Colombia border - MPPRE

President Maduro dispatches back-up teams against COVID-19 to Venezuela-Colombia border

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro informed on Sunday that there are “dangerous COVID-19 hotspots” on the border with Colombia, and he decided to send “back-up teams to Tachira, to the border.” Maduro made this announcement at the Miraflores Presidential Palace during a working meeting with his government staff to assess the COVID-19 situation in the South American country. “There, we are providing care to thousands of Venezuelans who are returning from Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, fleeing from xenophobia, exploitation and misery,” he explained. The Venezuelan president said he dispatched “a special team for PCR tests,” and that Science, technology Minister Gabriela Jiménez and Protector of Tachira state Freddy Bernal are on site as part of the team monitoring the situation. During a televised telephone conversation, Minister Jiménez explained that a mobile Biosecurity Laboratory “was sent to Tachira state to guarantee proper conditions for COVID-19 diagnosis and provide care to those Venezuelans crossing the border.” Complaint against Colombian police’s aggressions The Venezuelan president mentioned and denounced a video where “the Colombian police abusively and criminally attacks a Venezuelan pregnant woman in Botoga. They hit her with an electric baton and knocked her down to the ground.” He lamented the countless “Dantesque” images of xenophobia. “They are mean against Venezuelans (…) Here, we have received them with strict security protocols.” Maduro asked appealed to “the conscience, discipline and sacrifice of all Venezuelans” watching and listening to him” as he made clear that Venezuela is receiving them with open arms, but they “have to do your duty to your country now.” He stressed that “Venezuela gives you everything, but it demands discipline from you; it demands you to obey protocols, health rules and quarantine in the best possible conditions.” The Venezuelan president called on Venezuelans to keep their guard up in the fight against COVID-19 as the country managed to contain the pandemic, but has not fully stopped its spread. “We are facing major threats from Colombia and Brazil. This has not ended yet. None of us needs to rush; this is a marathon,” he said as he lambasted the smear campaign launched by the “enemies of the country to lie. We have to face lies and psychological war with truth and justice.” Presidential Press Office