Pearce explored the historical tensions between Colombia and Venezuela and the contemporary potential for improving bilateral cooperation. Has the bilateral relationship between Colombia and Venezuela established in 2013 been effective in avoiding wars and major conflicts? The bilateral relationship has been effective in avoiding war, but frictions remain high. In 2013, despite their tense history, Colombia and Venezuela were able to recognize solutions that were in their mutual best interests, including working together to establish military security along their shared border and facilitating bilateral trade. However, their fragile bilateral relationship was not equipped to withstand major conflicts that emerged. The first happened in 2015 when the president of Venezuela closed the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, a main border crossing between the two countries, leading to the collapse of a robust cross-border economy (Riera, 2022). Then in 2018, Venezuela made military threats against Colombia, stating that if the US were to attack Venezuela, the Venezuelan army would fire on targets in Colombia and destroy the bridges crossing the Magdalena River, dividing Colombia in two (International Crisis Group, 2022). Days later, the Venezuelan army placed missiles and anti-air equipment in Táchira on its border with Colombia, increasing concern among Colombian forces (International Crisis Group, 2022). Though the threats were never acted upon, in the wake of the Caracas bombing in 2018, the Venezuelan government held the Colombian government responsible (International Crisis Group, 2022). Soon after, the new Colombian president announced he would not have an ambassador to Venezuela because he did not recognize the Venezuelan president’s administration. Nevertheless, he did continue consular relations since he deemed them necessary to discuss border disputes, demonstrating that, despite conflict, the two countries remained willing to work together. Tension continued to build in 2019, when the president of Columbia accused Venezuela of harboring a military guerilla network plotting to penetrate Colombia (Terpstra, 2019). The nations’ bilateral relationship came to a halt in 2019 when the president of Venezuela cut off all diplomatic and domestic ties with Colombia, leading all diplomats to be evacuated and consulates and embassies closed (Riera, 2022). How have Colombia and Venezuela continued to make an effort for peace since the bilateral relationship came to a halt? There was no bilateral relationship between Colombia and Venezuela from 2019 to 2022. But in 2022, diplomatic relations were restored following the election of the new Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, who made it one of his first acts as president to establish ties with all neighboring countries (Riera, 2022). Under President Petro, the priorities of the Colombian government were to normalize the relationship between Colombia and Venezuela, which would include increasing border security and trade to benefit border residents (Riera, 2022). References International Crisis Group (2022, December 1). Ties without strings? Rebuilding relations between Colombia and Venezuela (Report No. 97). Riera, M. P. (2022, October 7). The Colombia and Venezuela reset. Australian Institute of International Affairs. Terpstra, R. (2019, September 27). Colombian president claims Venezuela is harbouring criminal network. The Bogatá Post. Retrospective by Isabel Carino-Bazan ‘25 Molecular biology and economics Martindale Retrospectives 5 December 2023 Retrospective on Sarah Pearce, “Colombia and Venezuela: A Tense Relationship Has Hopes for Cooperation” from Colombia: From Crisis to Renewal Perspectives on Business and Economics, Volume 31, 2013 Sarah Pearce ‘13 is a professional staff member, House Appropriations Committee, Interior and Environment Subcommittee in Washington, D.C.
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