After almost four months, Venezuela is partially reopening the border with Colombia. „In the exercise of our sovereignty, I have ordered the opening of border crossings in the state of Tachira to Colombia from Saturday,“ wrote President Nicolas Maduro on Twitter. „We are a people of peace who resolutely defend their independence and self-determination.“
Borders closed in February
In the dispute over humanitarian aid for the crisis-ridden country, Maduro closed the borders to neighboring countries in February. The opposition to self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaido had tried to create relief supplies across the Venezuelan border. Maduro saw in it an excuse for military intervention in the South American country.
A month ago, the Venezuelan government had reopened the borders with Brazil and the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba. Venezuela is in a deep political and economic crisis. Due to a lack of foreign exchange, hardly any food and medicines can be imported. Meanwhile, however, some relief supplies have reached the country via the Red Cross.
Guaido: For the time being no further Oslo round
Venezuela’s self-proclaimed Interim President Guaido has previously rejected further talks with the Maduro government in Oslo. „No further meeting is planned,“ said the opposition leader. New talks would only make sense if the Caracas government embraced the conditions of the opposition.
