Caracas - The'Venezuela Sovereignty and Peace' military exercises began this Tuesday on orders of President Nicolas Maduro, to protect and preserve security on the border with Colombia. According to what was announced by the Venezuelan president, the training exercise will last until the 28th of this month, activated by Strategic Operational Commander, Remigio Ceballos.

Faced with the threats of a possible military attack from Colombia, Maduro declared on September 3 the state of orange alert (intermediate, due to the level of danger) in the states bordering the neighboring country.

During the commemorative acts for the 9th anniversary of the Bolivarian Military University, in Fuerte Tiuna (Caracas), the president rejected the hostile policy of the Colombian administration of Ivan Duque against the Bolivarian nation.

Maduro asserted that the current Colombian government is seeking a confrontation between the two countries; 'now it wants to accuse Venezuela of being the cause of a war that has been going on for 70 years in Colombia,' he denounced.

In keeping with the aggressive discourse implemented by the Bogota government against Caracas, President Ivan Duque accused the Bolivarian Executive of alleged links with the return to arms of a group of former guerrillas of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP).

Venezuela described the Colombian president's intention to place the blame on third countries and third parties unbelievable, given his exclusive responsibility in the planned dismantling of the peace process and the failure to fulfill the commitments assumed and signed by the Colombian State before the world and its people.

This Monday, Maduro said he has evidence of conspirations from Colombia to send terrorist groups to attack public services and military headquarters within the South American nation.

During a meeting of the Defense Council, the president explained that in the last three months attempts have been made - by the Colombian government's intelligence agencies - to recruit Venezuelan non-commissioned officers and officials to attack the radar, air defense and anti-aircraft systems. On behalf of the Venezuelan State and the civic-military union, he called for the dismantling of the war machinery and for interceding in favor of peace between the two countries.

Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations with Colombia in February this year, after denouncing the repeated aggressions from the neighboring country, and in the midst of the serious events that took place in the state of Táchira, associated with the failed attempt by the opposition to bring in humanitarian aid with the support of the authorities of Bogota and Washington.

The Sovereignty and Peace Military Exercises on the Colombian-Venezuelan border are being carried out as part of the celebration of the 14th anniversary of the Strategic Operational Command of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces and the manoeuvres are aimed at preserving sovereignty in the area.