Colombia, Venezuela reopen their border after years of impasse

Colombia and Venezuela reopened their border on Monday after years of impasse. The two countries subsequently also re-established diplomatic relations. In a statement, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that this is a historic day for the country, for the region and for the Americas in general. He also said a second road bridge near Cucuta would open within weeks.

 

Petro and the Venezuelan delegation accompanied the first cargo truck to cross the border after the reopening. The reopening was a key campaign



promise of the left-wing Colombian president Gustavo Petro, who assumed office last month. According to media reports, the Simon Bolivar bridge had officially been closed to trade for nearly seven years.

 

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered border crossings closed in 2015 during what he described as a crackdown on smuggling. In 2019, tensions between the two countries rose after the Colombian government attempted to deliver truckloads of aid to the Venezuelan opposition.