Venezuela : Thousands cross into Colombia to buy food after opening of border
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Thousands of Venezuelans have crossed into Colombia to buy food, medicine and other essentials after the border between the two countries was reopened. The crossing was closed in February at President Nicolás Maduro’s request as opposition leader Juan Guaidó prepared to bring in US-backed humanitarian aid.
BBC reports that the country has faced shortages of basic supplies as a result of a severe years-long economic crisis. More than four million people have fled Venezuela since 2015, UN agencies say. The borders with Colombia, Brazil and Dutch Antilles islands were closed as the opposition organised the delivery of foreign aid, which was denounced by Mr Maduro as part of an effort to remove him.
CNN reports that on Friday Maduro tweeted “In full exercise of our sovereignty, I have ordered the opening of the border crossings with Colombia in the state of Tachira, starting this Saturday #8Jun. We are a peaceful people who firmly defend our independence and self-determination.”
The announcement comes months after Maduro severed diplomatic relations with Colombia and other countries. The South American country closed its border with Colombia in February as the Venezuela opposition party sought to import foreign aid to the South American country. Maduro denied that a humanitarian crisis exists in Venezuela and suggested that aid efforts are part of a US plot to orchestrate a coup.
