The rule of Nicolás Maduro The work to remove the containers placed in the middle by their own collaborators 4 years ago began this Tuesday Tienditas International BridgeIt connects Venezuela to Colombia, blocking supply Humanitarian aid by the United States and other countries and Restriction of movement Between the two countries due to bilateral conflicts with the then Colombian president Gustavo Duke.
In 2016, the project was jointly invested and built by both countries 32 million dollarsBut it was never put into service and in February 2019, amid tensions with the Colombian government, the Madurista dictatorship placed several containers in the structure. blocking the way.
However, operators Ministry of Transportation of Venezuela They began this Tuesday to cut the rods that hold the containers together on the handrail of the bridge, which is expected to open on Thursday, although it is not yet clear whether it will be operational. People transport or overload.
The re-establishment of ties between the two countries last August and September 26 allowed the reopening of other border crossings. Route of goods vehicles Through international bridges Simon Bolivar and Francisco de Paula Santander But the traffic is not fully streamlined.
The Simon Bolivar Bridge connects the city Villa del RosarioIn the metropolitan area of Cúcuta (Colombia), with San Antonio del Táchira (Venezuela), the Francisco de Paula Santander connects Cúcuta with Urena (Venezuela).
The Chavista government announced last Monday January 1, 2023 The border with Colombia will be opened to allow Route of private vehicles Although the first step in this direction was taken last September, it is something that has not happened between the two countries since 2015.
“I can announce that we will completely open the border from western Venezuela to Colombia for the passage of all vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, cars,” Maduro said, adding that it was a New Year’s gift. People border.
According to Maduro, “everything is being prepared to fulfill what we announced, to fulfill the promise we gave to the president.” Gustavo Pedro”.
As Venezuela and Colombia make slow but slow progress toward fully restoring economic and trade relations, Venezuelan opposition vice Jose Gregorio Correa Proposed to be installed Traffic restrictions In Border crossings.
“We agree that there is free movement, but with restrictions. It should not be an open court relationship, but should be structured within a law that allows Venezuelans, from a business perspective, to be competitive and profitable, and we do not have to compete at a disadvantage,” he said in a statement. , in one that also celebrated the end of the “total opening” of the border.
Correa stressed the need to establish “order” and “regulations” to re-enforce the passage of private vehicles, which have been unable to cross these crossings since August 2015.
(with information from EFE)
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