112 Chapter 2
MID#4172
Dispute Number: 4172
Date(s): February 6, 1997 to February 28, 1997
Participants: 101 Venezuela/100 Colombia
Outcome (and Settlement): Compromise (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The Army of National Liberation (ELN) regularly used Colombian terri-
tory to launch attacks into Venezuela. On February 6, 1997, the ELN attacked Ven-
ezuelan troops in Apure State, Venezuela, and then fled for the Colombian border. The
Venezuelans gave chase, then opened fire on a canoe in Arauquita that was carrying
11 people, killing a boy and a teacher and wounding several others. The next day the
Venezuelan foreign ministry lodged a protest with the Colombian government for
Colombia’s failure to prevent rebel attacks into Venezuelan territory. When the ELN
threatened more attacks on Venezuelan territory, Colombia and Venezuela came to
agreement on border security. On February 28, 1997, Colombian President Samper
and Venezuelan President Caldera signed the agreement that, among other things, cre-
ated a verification mission to investigate border incidents.
Coding changes: End Date changed from February 6, 1997.
MID#4262
Dispute Number: 4262
Date(s): October 13, 2000 to November 23, 2000
Participants: 101 Venezuela/100 Colombia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Colombia charged that, on October 14, 2000, Venezuela had violated its
borders by sending troops into Colombian territory on an antidrug mission. Helicopters
carrying 30 troops destroyed coca crops and a warplane bombed two houses resulting in
the deaths of several farm animals. Colombia stated that they understood this was a mis-
take because the border is not marked clearly. The Venezuelan national guard aboard
two combat helicopters entered Colombian territory on November 15 and seized four
farmers near Tibu. On November 23, Venezuela announced that border security had
been redoubled due to the presence of guerrillas and drug incidents on its border with
Colombia; it also sent helicopters to the border in what amounted to a show of force.
MID#4495
Dispute Number: 4495
Date(s): March 2003 to March 30, 2003
Participants: 101 Venezuela/100 Colombia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Venezuela fortified its border with additional troops in early March 2003,
in response to increased violence in the region between Colombian military, rebels,