Video Player is loading.
38
views •
February 24, 2019
Private
2 Venezuelan National Guards seek refuge in Brazil
Della Sun
0 Followed
Two members of the Venezuelan National Guard have deserted, asking for refuge in the Brazilian border town of Pacaraima, Brazilian authorities said on Sunday.
Still wearing their uniforms, the two guard members crossed the border Saturday night, Col. George Feres Kanaan of the Brazilian Army in Roraima told journalists.
According to Kanaan, the two sergeants will be treated as any other Venezuelan seeking refugee or temporary residence in the country.
"There is no difference if they are a deserter, if they are medium (meaning a mid-ranking military), a former military, or whatever, the treatment is normal," he said.
At least 60 members of the security forces, most of them lower-ranked soldiers, have deserted and have taken refuge in Colombia, according to migration officials.
One was a National Guard major.
The self-proclaimed president of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, who has offered amnesty to soldiers who join the opposition's fight, applauded their bravery, saying it was a sign that support for Maduro was crumbling.
Show All