The highest regional authority of the Táchira state, Freddy Bernal, assured that the paralysis of binational commercial exchanges in the Colombian-Venezuelan border area responds to political measures that stem from the decisions of Colombian President Iván Duque.
Bernal clarified that the efforts made since his appointment as protector of the state and now as governor have always had as a premise the need to reactivate the border economy, and proof of this is the innumerable meetings held with representatives of the Colombian productive sector.
"I met with all the Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Transport and Customs of Norte de Santander (…) and with Víctor Bautista, head of the border of Norte de Santander and we signed an agreement, but Colombia did not comply with anything," he added.
The highest authority in Tachira stressed that Venezuela has complied with all the requirements imposed, ranging from the opening of the pedestrian crossing to the timely removal of the containers located on the Simón Bolívar international bridge.
He assured that among the missing actions is opening the commercial border crossing, an action that can only be authorized by Colombia, through the Directorate of National Taxes and Customs (DIAN).
"People of Norte de Santander and people of Táchira, merchants, businessmen and entrepreneurs, there has been no formal commercial exchange because Mr. Iván Duque (…) said that while Nicolás Maduro was president of Venezuela he would not have commercial relations with our country," he said.
The governor clarified that this decision further harms the situation on the border, specifically with regard to the mafias that operate on the trails, since this action outside the law harms the economy of the communities along the border.
"As governor of Táchira, it is my duty to defend the interests of the state and confront the mafias of the trails, but what do I do if on the Colombian side Iván Duque does not want to open commercial relations? (…) due to this decision, unfortunately, the irregular passage will continue," he stressed.
He argues that, in the context of the upcoming electoral process in Colombia, he hopes that the situation on the border will normalize with the resumption of trade. "We have already waited six years, now we will wait six months for the trade process to open (…) we hope that the progressive sectors, those who are loyal to the people, those who do not want war, will win," he concluded.
