Venezuela

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The speaker from Venezuela greeted the guests of the conference and then began to give information about the commitment that Venezuela had to the Ottawa Convention. An introduction and background information was provided. In 1995, an assault on the Navy at a base on the border took place. Six mines had to be planted along the southern border in response to that assault. The Venezuelan Congress ratified the Ottawa Convention in 1999. The Venezuelan situation is particular, but satisfactory because Venezuela has been trying to fulfill the convention. The speaker claimed that Venezuela has destroyed 35,947 mines recently.

The speaker claimed that ten percent of the mines in the country's possession would be kept for training in a controlled storage area. Still need to destroy 4,417 mines to meet the deadlines of the Convention.

The removal of mines is difficult because Venezuela does not have the materials needed to remove them. However, the minefields are well documented because they have been used to protect military bases. There have been no human casualties due to mines around the military bases; but, a few animals have escaped the corrals of residents near the minefields and have caused the mines to detonate. In regards to assistance of victims, a marine was injured and was assisted and rehabbed.

There are basically only mines in the southern region of the country. It is difficult to demine because this area is a remote area, difficult to access; sometimes it is only reachable by helicopter or unfinished roads. Additionally, rainfall during certain seasons can restrict deminers, as well as thick vegetation.

Venezuela has a tough time getting the support it needs to demine. Although the country has some equipment, requests for help have also been asked of France and Canada. Although France was unable to provide help, it is anticipated that Canada will help out.