Colombia-Venezuela Border Reopening: How Trade Grew 144% in Two Years

When the Colombia-Venezuela border reopened on September 26, 2022, skeptics predicted chaos. Instead, what followed was an economic renaissance—proof that integration works when governments get out of the way.

The Closure (2015-2022)

In August 2015, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro closed the border and deported thousands of Colombians, citing security concerns. What had been one of Latin America's most dynamic trade corridors went dark overnight.

The impact was devastating. Before the closure, bilateral trade exceeded $7 billion annually. By the time of reopening, it had collapsed to under $200 million. Entire border communities that had thrived on cross-border commerce became economic wastelands.

The Reopening

Petro's decision to reopen the border was among his first major acts as president. The move was politically controversial—many Colombians remained hostile to Venezuela's government—but economically necessary.

The results were immediate and dramatic:

• First two months of 2024: Trade grew 144% compared to the same period in 2023
• Exporting companies: Increased from 572 (2022) to 880 (2024)
• Annual trade volume: Reached approximately $1.2 billion
• Binational economic zones: Established in 2025 to further facilitate commerce

What's Being Traded

The trade flows tell a story of complementary economies. Colombia exports agricultural products, manufactured goods, and consumer items that Venezuela struggles to produce. Venezuela provides fuel, petrochemicals, and raw materials.

More importantly, the reopening has allowed families separated by the border to reconnect. The 2.8 million Venezuelan migrants living in Colombia can now visit relatives. Cultural and personal ties—severed for seven years—have been restored.

The Lesson for Gran Colombia

The border reopening provides a proof of concept for regional integration. When barriers fall, commerce flourishes. When governments cooperate, people benefit.

If two nations that were at each other's throats just two years ago can achieve 144% trade growth, imagine what a full confederation could accomplish. The $1.2 billion in Colombia-Venezuela trade is impressive—but it's still a fraction of the $7 billion peak. Full integration could unlock far more.

The border is no longer closed. But it's still a border. Petro's confederation proposal aims to make such borders matter less—to create a zone where goods, services, and people flow freely, as they did in Bolívar's time.

The 144% growth rate suggests the appetite for that integration is real.