BOGOTA – Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have crossed into neighbouring Colombia to buy food and medicine after authorities briefly opened the border that has been closed for almost a year.
A similar measure last weekend led to dramatic scenes of the elderly and mothers storming Colombian supermarkets and highlighted how daily life has deteriorated for millions in Venezuela, where the economy is in freefall.
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Colombia’s foreign ministry said at least 35,000 Venezuelans entered Colombia on Saturday, and their entry took place “in an orderly manner and under conditions of security.” The border was opened for roughly eight hours and will be opened again on Sunday.
The opening took businesses in the Colombian border city of Cucuta by surprise since it had been announced that the border would opened on Sunday.