Venezuela-Colombia Border Partially Reopens

Venezuela and Colombia partially reopened their common border on Saturday, August 13th, signaling a warming of relations between the two South American countries.

The presidents of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro and Colombia Juan Manuel Santos agreed on Thursday to temporarily reopen the border after several attempts to normalize the flow of people through it.

Venezuela was forced to formally close the border a year ago due to smugglers and paramilitary groups operating in the area.

The Venezuelan head of state met with his Colombian counterpart on Thursday in the Venezuelan city of Puerto Ordaz.

In confirming the border reopening, President Santos said it would enable communities living close to the border to travel in and out of the neighboring countries.

The Colombian president also announced the creation of a bi-national center to combat transnational crime at the border. Both countries have also agreed to maintain a permanent exchange of information to reinstate bilateral trade, and begin electronic controls for transportation.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez and her Colombian counterpart María Angela Holguín are scheduled to meet on August 23rd to discuss gas supplies from Venezuela to Colombia.