Colombia’s House of Representatives on Tuesday suspended a debate on the possibility of war with neighboring country Venezuela and Colombia’s ability to defend itself in a possible attack.
The delay is due to a lack of answers to questions presented to the government on how to prevent or repel a possible attack by Venezuelan military and the likelihood of an eventual attack from that country, according to the news organization Colprensa.
The questions also seek to know the current status of the Colombian military forces in border areas.
The debate was called by coalition lawmakers who asked the country’s Ministers of Defense, Foreign Relations and Trade to attend the session.
In the closed session the lawmakers want to hear from Defense Minister Gabriel Silva what the probability is that Venezuela attacks Colombian soil following President Hugo Chavez’s calls to Venezuelan soldiers and civilians to prepare for war and the recent destruction of cross-border footbridges by the Venezuelan armed forces.
Officials plan to revisit the debate next week.