Colombia, Venezuela poised to restore diplomatic relations
Countries to appoint new ambassadors and boost security on their shared borders.
-
Colombia and Venezuela are poised to restore diplomatic relations.
Colombia and Venezuela will rebuild contact after years of hostility, their foreign ministers declared on Thursday.
Colombia's Foreign Minister-Designate Alvaro Leyva met with Venezuelan colleague Carlos Faria in the Venezuelan state of Tachira.
They declared in a joint statement that ambassadors will be nominated and consulates will reopen on August 7, when Colombia's newly elected President Gustavo Petro takes office.
The two countries "ratified their willingness to reinforce the bonds of friendship and collaboration, reviewing all topics of binational interest for the sake of our people's pleasure," Leyva said, reading from a joint statement signed by him and Faria.
The governments will “boost security and peace” on their shared border, according to the statement.
Read next: Venezuela congratulates Colombia on Petro's election win
During his presidential campaign, Petro stated that his government will strive to rebuild communication channels with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a move that marked a watershed moment in the nations' bilateral relations.
Colombia has supported US-backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido in his efforts to depose Maduro, who broke diplomatic relations with the neighboring country and ordered diplomats to leave its territory after President Ivan Duque took office in 2018.
The border between the two nations was closed in 2019 after the Venezuelan government barred the international Simon Bolivar bridge.
Petro claimed hours after winning the election that he had spoken with the Maduro government and planned to restore relations with Venezuela.
"As of today, #Colombia is changing."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 20, 2022
Who is #GustavoPetro, Colombia's first leftist president? pic.twitter.com/3uEf78im2I
