Smuggling Evolves Amid Reopening of the Colombia-Venezuela Border
The reopening of the Colombia-Venezuela border has not alleviated smuggling activities, which continue to thrive due to distrust of authorities, economic pressures, and adjustments by criminal organizations. Despite hopes for normalized trade, illegal operations remain prevalent, exacerbating violence and economic instability in border regions.
As night descends on Cúcuta, Colombia’s vibrant border town, illicit activities flourish under the cloak of darkness. The reopening of the Colombia-Venezuela border on September 26, 2022, was hoped to signify a return to legitimate trade; however, smuggling has adapted, continuing through established illegal routes known as “trochas”. Crime syndicates exploit these routes, facilitating the transportation of goods while evading law enforcement scrutiny. Historically, the border was closed by President Nicolás Maduro in February 2019, following unsuccessful humanitarian aid attempts by opposition groups, leading to heightened smuggling activities which persisted and even expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the official reopening, illegal trade remains prevalent as criminal groups have adjusted their tactics. Trade between Colombia and Venezuela previously peaked at approximately $7 billion annually in 2008. Post-reopening, it was anticipated that trade could achieve a minimum of $2 billion within the first year, but estimates reveal that figures remain lower at approximately $1.2 billion. Distrust of Venezuelan authorities, imposition of checkpoint fees, and financial sanctions impede the normalization of trade, compelling businesses to resort to the more straightforward payment structures of smuggling, which afford perceived security for goods. Notably, armed groups, particularly the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional – ELN) and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, have maintained control over these smuggling routes. The dynamics of criminal operations have evolved since the reopening, particularly as these groups adapt their extortion strategies to exploit local businesses in Cúcuta amid fluctuating revenue from smuggling. As such, the smuggling of goods, particularly food products due to price disparities, continues unabated. For instance, milk purchased in Colombia for $0.90 can be sold in Venezuela for nearly double the price, often lacking basic hygiene standards. This not only raises health concerns for consumers in Venezuela but also highlights the stark realities faced by the region’s residents as illegal economies persist in the face of official trade efforts. Furthermore, ongoing violence in Cúcuta is a significant consequence of heightened competition for control over these lucrative illicit operations, leading to surges in criminal activities, including extortion and violent confrontations involving grenade attacks. In this complex landscape, the interplay of economic necessity and criminal adaptation continues to pose significant challenges for both sides of the border.
The Colombia-Venezuela border region has long been plagued by smuggling and criminal networks, exacerbated by political and economic instability. A border closure by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2019 forced many trade routes underground, further entrenching criminal economies. The reopening of the border in late 2022 aimed to restore normalcy but has instead seen the persistence, and in some cases, the escalation of illicit trade and violence as criminal organizations adapt to changing circumstances. The article explores these developments, their implications for local communities, and the ongoing challenges in establishing legitimate trade relations between Colombia and Venezuela.
In summary, the reopening of the Colombia-Venezuela border has not led to the anticipated normalization of trade but instead has allowed existing smuggling routes to persist and adapt. Criminal organizations have capitalized on the situation, employing extortion tactics to secure their operations while local economies face significant pressures from illegal trade practices. The ongoing violence and economic challenges highlight the complexities of restoring lawful cross-border interactions and the resilience of illicit economies in the region.
Original Source: insightcrime.org
