Venezuela's military has bombed and opened fire on illegally controlled gold mines in the Las Claritas region of southern Bolivar state, forcing miners to flee, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing a former local lawmaker.
Special forces are conducting operations to evict workers from unlicensed mining operations in the area, according to Venezuelan news outlet Tal Cual, the report said.
The International Crisis Group said it has received numerous reports of military activity, with security forces effectively sealing off the Las Claritas town while helicopters operate over nearby mining zones, according to the report.
Local authorities have not confirmed whether any casualties or direct clashes have occurred, Bloomberg said.
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