SAN CRISTÓBAL, Táchira.— Cuban collaborators offering services to the Venezuelan population as part of social missions working in the region, continue to carry out their functions after the country partially closed its borders with Colombia, and expanded the state of emergency to 12 municipalities on its western edge.
All 539 Cuban professionals are safe and well, continuing to work as normal within the regulated zone, reported Dr. Diego Álvarez, coordinator of the island’s missions in the state of Táchira, to Granma.
Health facilities remain open and continue to offer services to the local population, while establishments located on the border also offer services to Colombians who arrive in Venezuela for medical treatment, or those waiting to return to their native country, he noted.
Units based in areas of extreme poverty (one in Ureña, another in San Antonio and five in Ayacucho) also continue to offer health, sports and culture services to communities, while the safety of all collaborators is assured, he emphasized.
Álvarez also highlighted the sense of calm, high morale and commitment felt by the Cubans working on the 130km Táchira border.
The closing of the Venezuela-Colombia border and the state of emergency that has been declared, comes after three officers of the Venezuelan National Guard were attacked; meanwhile the Bolivarian government has also initiated a group of security measures to combat paramilitary activities and smuggling originating from Colombia
