A week into the border closure between Venezuela and Colombia and around a thousand Colombians have been deported as of Wednesday. Venezuelan
ADVERTISEMENTA week into the border closure between Venezuela and Colombia and around a thousand Colombians have been deported as of Wednesday.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered the two main crossings closed as part of a crack down on migrants and smugglers.
Venezuela’s Foreign minister, Delcy Rodriguez, says a new frontier needs is needed that works for both sides.
“We will continue to work to build a more equitable border, of peace, of strict allegiance to the law, where there are no mafias that are the product of violence, rather a border built through the effort of our people who live along border”.
Maduro’s socialist government keeps the prices of many goods the lowest in the region.. but smugglers selling these items for a profit outside have created shortages.
With elections looming Colombia’s opposition leader, Alvaro Uribe, expressed outrage at the treatment of Colombian families who have been deported, their houses demolished.
“It’s the time for the government to understand that this represents not a tentative genocide but a genocide that extends, that is prolonged”
With some 5 million Colombians in Venezuela, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has sought to diffuse tensions with Venezuela.
Critics say the president’s response has been too weak.