UN urges Venezuela to stop abuses as Colombians deported

The United Nations urged Venezuela yesterday to prevent human rights abuses of Colombians being deported from the country, including the separation of children from their parents, in a simmering border crisis between the two neighbours.

Venezuela closed several major border crossings and deported nearly 1,500 Colombians last month in what it says is a crackdown on smuggling and crime along the shared border.

Fearing deportation, another 15,255 Colom-bians have fled their adopted homeland to Colombia in recent weeks, many crossing rivers and bridges with their belongings on their backs, according to Colombian government figures.