World

Venezuela crisis: Border with Colombia reopens after four months

June 9, 2019 2:04 pm

Thousands of Venezuelans have crossed into Colombia to buy food, medicine and other essentials after the border between the two countries was reopened.

The crossing was closed in February at President Nicolás Maduro’s request as opposition leader Juan Guaidó prepared to bring in US-backed humanitarian aid.

The country has faced shortages of basic supplies as a result of a severe years-long economic crisis.

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More than four million people have fled Venezuela since 2015, UN agencies say.

The borders with Colombia, Brazil and Dutch Antilles islands were closed as the opposition organised the delivery of foreign aid, which was denounced by Mr Maduro as part of an effort to remove him.

Last month, he announced the reopening of the border with Brazil and the island of Aruba, but the Aruba authorities said the border would remain closed.