As Venezuelan authorities searched for three people and arrested a fourth suspected in the shooting death of two national guardsmen, two international bridges between Venezuela and Colombia remained closed.

Monday’s killings marked the most recent in a series of events that have raised tension between the neighbors.

The area’s residents and merchants are reportedly confused over the closure of the Simon Bolivar and Francisco de Paula Santander international bridges in central-west Venezuela.

Some clashes between guards and residents were reported. People were crossing the border on foot, carrying goods and luggage on their backs across a shallow river, news footage showed.

Venezuela blamed Colombian paramilitaries for the attacks.

At a news conference, Venezuelan Vice President Ramon Carrizalez said, “The paramilitary phenomenon that was created in Colombia has permeated our border and has intensified in the past year.”

He added that the Colombian government is complacent toward the paramilitary activity, which is aimed at destabilizing Venezuela.

(article source: CNN, photo source: Venezuelan government)