The home nation secured victory thanks to a 12th-minute own goal from Jean Gutierrez Abreu and a successfully-converted free-kick from Leonardo Fabio Castro Loaiza just after the half-hour mark at the Estadio Romelio Martínez.

Yohandry Orozco halved the deficit in the 35th minute, scoring on a re-bound, but it proved to be in vain as Venezuela failed to find an equaliser.

Their misery was compounded by the dismissal of substitute Ronaldo Chacon after barging into Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier Robles with five minutes of normal time remaining.

It is the second consecutive edition of the Games in which Venezuela have finished second in the men’s football competition having suffered a 4-1 defeat against hosts Mexico in the 2014 final in Veracruz.

Colombia’s gold medal is their third in men’s football following home triumphs in Barranquilla in 1946 and Cartagena in 2006.

Honduras won today's bronze-medal match after overcoming Haiti 3-0.

Cristian Calix gave them an early lead before goals from Josue Villafranca and Douglas Martinez sealed a comfortable victory.

Colombia are third in the overall medal standings with 59 golds, 66 silvers and 74 bronzes after 13 days of action.

Mexico lead the way with 110 golds, 97 silvers and 70 bronzes.

They secured six victories today, including those in the men's and women's compound archery events. 

There was also success for the country in the men's hammer, through Diego Alan Del Real Galindo, and men's K2 canoeing, through Javier Lopez and Osbaldo Fuentes.

Further gold medals came Mexico's way in artistic swimming thanks to the performances of their free routine combination team and Nuria Diosdado in the solo free competition. 

Cuba occupy second spot in the medal standings with 59 golds, 66 silvers and 74 bronzes.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow.

The Games are scheduled to conclude on Friday (August 3).