Caracas, Feb 22 (IANS) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday ordered the closing of the country's southern border with Brazil.

The measure is to take effect at 8 p.m. Thursday local time (24:00 GMT) and remain in effect until further notice, Xinhua news agency reported.

The move comes amid what he called "provocation" from Brazil's right-wing government.

Venezuela is also monitoring the situation along its border with Colombia, he added.

"I don't want to have to make these types of decisions, but I am evaluating it -- the total closure of the border with Colombia," said Maduro.

Both Colombia and Brazil have aligned themselves with Venezuela's right-wing opposition and its campaign to oust Maduro and the ruling socialist PSUV party from power.

--IANS vc