Colombia and Venezuela reopened their border yesterday after years of impasse. The two countries subsequently also re-established diplomatic relations. In a statement, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that this is a historic day for the country, for the region and for the Americas in general. He also said a second road bridge near Cucuta would open within weeks.<br />'' <br />''Petro and the Venezuelan delegation accompanied the first cargo truck to cross the border after the reopening. The reopening was a key campaign promise of the left-wing Colombian president Gustavo Petro, who assumed office last month. According to media reports, the Simon Bolivar bridge had officially been closed to trade for nearly seven years.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered border crossings closed in 2015 during what he described as a crackdown on smuggling. In 2019, tensions between the two countries rose after the Colombian government attempted to deliver truckloads of aid to the Venezuelan opposition.</span><br />