Close, But No Cigar: An Overview of the Border Tensions between Venezuela and Colombia

On September 21, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro shook hands with his counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, to conclude a series of security negotiations between the two nations. As a result, both will start to gradually reopen borders following an escalation of paramilitary activity and migrant issues. This is the first step toward the normalization of relations between the two countries since they recalled each other’s ambassadors earlier this year. The Venezuelan government went on to declare a state of emergency as thousands of its citizens fled into Colombia.

Maduro has blamed Colombia’s smugglers and illegal currency traders for  the souring of relations, although many pundits believe that a tanking economy and reduced credibility have had some influence. The recent agreement, which is not believed to be comprehensive, is not expected to reconcile the neighboring states.