The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Colombia and Venezuela, Luis Gilberto Murillo and Yvan Gil, are meeting this Monday, April 8th, in Cucuta for the first encounter of the monitoring mechanism of the Bilateral Neighborhood and Integration Commission. The meeting, held at the Santander Governor’s Office, will address issues such as binational trade, security, environment, and joint actions for the benefit of the inhabitants of the border area.
Some of the agenda items include the proposal from the governors of both border regions to allow uninterrupted transit of vehicles and pedestrians through the international bridges, a measure aimed at boosting trade and mobility between the two countries. Migration will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion, as recent communications from Murillo have underscored the significant impact of Venezuelan migration on Colombia, including its profound effects on the nation’s economy.
Colombian Ambassador to Venezuela, Milton Rengijo, and the Governor of Santander, William Villamizar, will also participate in the encounter. It serves as a precursor to the Binational Summit of Governors from Border Departments of both countries, scheduled to take place on April 26th and 27th at the Atanasio Girardot International Bridge.
Meeting amid tensions between Colombia and Venezuela
On March 26th, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release urging the Venezuelan government and the opposition to comply with the Barbados agreement. It emphasized the necessity for a “free, fair, and competitive” electoral process. Gil expressed dissatisfaction with the statements, and on the same day, Maduro labeled as ‘cowardly leftists’ those who did not condemn the alleged assassination attempts against him.
President Gustavo Petro responded on X, stating “there is no cowardly left,” but rather “the potential to change the world by deepening democracy.” Later, on April 1st, the disqualification of Maria Corina Machado was publicly criticized and described as “an antidemocratic coup.”
As the meeting in Cucuta progresses, aiming to strengthen unity and cooperation between the two countries, there is a pledge to “consolidate new projects that promote mutual prosperity,” as stated in the latest X post by foreign minister Yvan Gil.
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