Venezuela-Colombia border reopens as thousands cross

By Senabri Silvestre

SANTO DOMINGO, Dom. Rep. (AA) – About 28,000 Venezuelans crossed into Colombia Saturday to buy food and other supplies on the first day of the opening of border gates that were closed a year ago, according to authorities.

The largest flow of Venezuelans was at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge that connects the southwest state of Tachirá with the Colombian northern municipally of Cucutá, Venezuela's Minister for the New Frontier of Peace Gerardo Izquierdo said at a joint news conference with Venezuelan officals.

Pedestrian crossings were opened in the early morning at six points along the 1,380-mile (2,219-kilometer) border between the two countries but a new immigration document required by Colombia for the entry of Venezuelans generated delays and gridlock, Izquierdo said, adding that both countries are refining details to solve that problem quickly and effectively.

"The controls that have mutually agreed will be maintained and enhanced to allow the flow of citizens of both countries,” he said.

They include the creation of a "mobility border card" proposed by Venezuela for agricultural workers, students and those who live along the border.

Colombia is satisfied with the gradual opening of the border, according to the country’s border director Victor Baustista, who said his government will work with Venezuela to correct problems that caused the closure.

Along with transport, the "Colombian government has proposed to Venezuela technical and security cooperation in immigration, customs and trade aspects, which will progress gradually ... that means that joint problems are solved jointly", Bautista said.

The reopening of the entire stretch was agreed Thursday by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, who said both nations would stabilize vehicular traffic and bi-national economic output.

They also agreed to create sufficient mechanisms to ensure security and dismantle the smuggling of merchandise.

The scarcity of food and staple supplies in Venezuela has created a predator industry in which many cross the border to stock up on supplies they then sell at exorbitant prices in Venezuela.

Venezuela unilaterally began closing major border crossings with Colombia last August after three Venezuelan troops were shot amid growing political and economic crises in the socialist-run state.

Maduro blamed the attack on Colombian paramilitary fighters and initially closed the border for 72 hours in Táchira and to the north of Santander. Days later he extended the closure to the entire border, straining relations between the two nations.

The border has since been opened just three days in July.