Colombian Minister of Defense Juan Manuel Santos denied on Sunday the deployment of Colombian troops in Venezuelan western Apure state, as denounced on Saturday by the Venezuelan government in a diplomatic notice of protest.

According to Santos, an investigation of the armed forces found that there was no incursion. The Colombian troops "were doing nothing. I inquired already. We found building equipment and two Venezuelans without clearance in the Colombian department of Arauca," Efe quoted.

Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Fernando Araújo said that there was no incursion and no notice of protest had been received. "As soon as we receive it, we will reply."

Venezuela to release pictures

On Sunday, Venezuelan Minister of Information Andrés Izarra ratified that Colombian troops entered Venezuelan territory illegally. "Photos and other materials that show the incursion" will be published timely, he said, as quoted by Efe.

"It seems that (Santos) is not well informed, or pretends to be not well informed (…) It is good to tell him that we have graphic materials, pictures and other materials that will be submitted in due course and that prove the incursion," he added.