From $200 Million to $1.2 Billion: The Colombia-Venezuela Trade Revival Story

Before the border closed in 2015, Colombia and Venezuela traded over $7 billion worth of goods annually. Seven years later, that had collapsed to $200 million. Then Petro reopened the border—and trade is roaring back.

The Closure Years

In August 2015, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ordered the border closed and deported thousands of Colombians. The official justification was security; the real reason was political tension between Caracas and Bogotá.

The economic cost was devastating. Border towns that had thrived on cross-border commerce became ghost towns. Families were separated. Businesses collapsed. What had been one of Latin America's most dynamic trade corridors went dark.

The Reopening

Within weeks of taking office in August 2022, Petro moved to reopen the border. On September 26, 2022, trucks began crossing again. The economic response was immediate.

• 572 → 880: Colombian companies exporting to Venezuela grew by over 50%
• 144% growth: First two months of 2024 vs. same period in 2023
• $1.2 billion: Approximate annual trade volume by 2024
• Binational zones: Economic cooperation areas established in 2025

What's Being Traded

The trade flows reflect complementary economies:

Colombia exports to Venezuela: Food products, textiles, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, consumer goods—items Venezuela struggles to produce domestically after years of economic crisis.

Venezuela exports to Colombia: Fuel, petrochemicals, raw materials. Even with its economy crippled, Venezuela still produces oil—and Colombia still needs it.

Still Far From the Peak

At $1.2 billion, current trade is still a fraction of the pre-2015 peak of $7+ billion. The gap represents enormous untapped potential.

What's holding trade back? Infrastructure damage from years of neglect. Regulatory complexity. Currency instability. Trust deficits between businesses. All problems that deeper integration could address.

Proof of Concept

The trade revival offers a proof of concept for Gran Colombia. When borders open, 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 Colombia-Venezuela experience suggests the appetite for integration is real—and large.