The alleged attack took place on Friday in Buena Vista del Meta, in Venezuela’s Apure state, according to former Venezuelan lawmaker Juan Francisco Garcia Escalona, Anadolu Agency reported.
Garcia Escalona, who coordinates the Fundaredes human rights organization in Apure, said he had received testimonies about a military operation in the area.
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Preliminary accounts indicated that nine bodies had been transferred to San Fernando de Apure, the state capital, for forensic examinations. Another 10 bodies reportedly remained at the site, while an unspecified number of wounded people were said to have crossed into Colombia.
Residents of Puerto Paez also provided names and identification details reportedly found at the scene, Blu Radio said. The victims’ identities have not been officially confirmed.
Venezuelan human rights activist and military affairs expert Rocio San Miguel also referred to reports of the alleged bombing in a post on X.
The reported operation comes amid accounts of armed clashes in parts of Venezuela’s border region in recent weeks.
Garcia Escalona said residents and Indigenous communities had reported fighting in Los Pijiguaos, in western Bolivar state, and near Paso del Burro, along the Meta-Orinoco river border area.
He linked the reported clashes to disputes over control of areas used for mineral extraction, including bauxite and coltan.
Venezuela’s interim government, led by Delcy Rodriguez, had not issued a statement on the alleged bombing, Blu Radio reported. The reported death toll and circumstances of the incident remain unverified.
