Venezuela closed the border with Colombia following the assassination of two officers of the country’s Civil Guard close to the border and rising tensions about the alleged incursion of Colombian militia members into Venezuelan territory.
According to witnesses, the two policemen were shot by four men on motorbikes.
Following the assassination, authorities closed the northern part of the border with Colombia. The main border checkpoint between the two countries, near the Colombian city of Cucuta, is closed too.
Caracas has not officially responded to the assassination or the closing of the border.
Relations between Colombia and Venezuela are tense, following recent accusations that Colombian intelligence officials are in Venezuela conspiring against the government of leftist President Hugo Chavez.