BORDER POST IN VENEZUELA

ENCONTRADOS, Venezuela, May 7 (Reuters) - Venezuela opened a new military
post near its border with Colombia today to combat a growing threat from
drug traffickers and Colombian rebels.

Defense Minister Jose Vicente Rangel inaugurated the post at Encontrados on
the Catatumbo River.

The beefed-up military presence responds to complaints by local farmers and
ranchers about the spillover from Colombia of drug trafficking and
infiltration by leftist guerrillas.

Military officials from both Venezuela and Colombia agreed last week to
increase cooperation, but stopped short of authorizing cross-border
security operations.