Venezuelan military helicopter crashes in Colombia

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AP Bogota
Last Updated : Dec 29 2015 | 4:57 AM IST
A Venezuelan military helicopter reportedly crashed in Colombia, injuring the pilot and co-pilot.
The Bell helicopter belonging to Venezuela's National Guard was carrying out a routine inspection along the border when it fell about 10 metres (yards) to the ground. It crash landed yesterday on the Colombian side of the La Guajira peninsula, South America's northernmost tip.
It's unclear what caused the crash but Colombian Defence Minister Luis Carlos Villegas said it posed no security threat. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said adverse climatic conditions may have been behind the accident.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in August closed all major crossings along the 2,200-kilometre (1,400-mile) border and deported scores of Colombians to stamp out what he said is large-scale smuggling of price-controlled goods.
Although tensions have died down, with no plans to reopen the border any time soon the potential for another flare up remains high. Many Colombians who for years lived in Venezuela say they are too afraid or unable to easily return home to loved ones that were left behind.
The two crew members were rescued by local residents and escorted to Venezuela for medical attention. Rodriguez in a message on Twitter thanked Colombian authorities for helping the stranded crew members.

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First Published: Dec 29 2015 | 4:57 AM IST

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