Venezuelan authorities have acknowledged that soldiers patrolling its border with Guyana fired shots at a group of Guyanese miners Saturday.
Venezuela's Defense Ministry, however, says it has no evidence to support Guyanese reports that one of the miners had been killed.
Venezuelan Defense Minister General Raul Baduel says the troops used their weapons after one of the miners became violent, but had no intention of attacking anyone.
Guyana has said the Venezuelan soldiers killed a man believed to be smuggling fuel from Venezuela for his mining operations. Officials say troops fired at him along the Cuyuni River separating the two countries.
Guyanese Foreign Minister Rudy Insanally Monday called on Caracas for an explanation and said an investigation is under way.
The border between Venezuela and Guyana is disputed and the demarcation has been referred to the United Nations.
