Venezuela reopens Colombian border to allow people to buy basic goods

Thousands of Venezuelans crossed into neighbouring Colombia on Saturday to buy food and medicine, as the border between the two countries was temporarily reopened.

An estimated 35,000 people crossed the border.

Venezuela’s economic crisis has deepened since the plunge in global oil prices with chronic shortages of food and other goods.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro closed the border in August 2015 following an attack against guards patrolling the area to stop smuggling.