Venezuela and Colombia Unite: Military Pact Shakes Up Region After Maduro's Ouster!

Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez and her Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro have pledged military cooperation to combat criminal organizations along their shared border. This commitment was made during Petro's visit to Venezuela, marking the first visit by a foreign leader since the removal of Nicolas Maduro. The meeting between Petro and Rodriguez focused on border security and energy cooperation. Petro stated that the joint military effort aims to liberate border areas from criminal groups involved in illicit activities, including cocaine production, illegal gold mining, human trafficking, and the trade of rare minerals. Rodriguez added that both countries have initiated military planning and established mechanisms for information sharing and intelligence development. Rodriguez assumed power in Venezuela after a U.S. military operation in January led to the capture of Maduro. The current interim government, supported by the administration of President Donald Trump, has opened Venezuela's oil industry to U.S. companies. Petro has criticized the U.S. operation and has been criticized by Trump for not doing enough to combat drug production. A summit between Petro and Rodriguez was initially scheduled for March in Cucuta, Colombia, but was canceled. The Cucuta area is known for housing various drug-running and left-wing guerrilla groups, which Colombia has accused Venezuela of supporting. In related news, other articles from the Jamaica Observer include Hydel High's victory