The installation of the tunnels in the Simón Bolívar bridge is recent. The works, by a contractor of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), began on May 13 of this year and finished at the end of August
Jonathan Maldonado | The nation
While Colombia advances with the removal of the immigration control structures that are on the Simón Bolívar international bridge, in the Venezuelan route there has still been no change.
“We have not received orders to remove anything,” he told The nation a group of uniformed men, stationed in the binational section. “For the moment, everything remains the same,” they specified.
On Sunday, December 4, Colombia had made progress in removing the tunnels. One was completely removed and the other has 35% of the structure disassembled. The roof is missing, as well as part of the fences that divided it.
“The order is to remove them in their entirety,” officials from the neighboring country have stated, in view of the announcements of the total reopening of the border, scheduled for January 1 and for the three binational sections: Simón Bolívar, Francisco de Paula Santander and Tienditas, the latter not yet released.
The installation of the tunnels in Venezuela is recent. The works, by a contractor from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), began on May 13 of this year and finished at the end of August.
*Read also: Migration Colombia will no longer carry out immigration control on half of the bridges with Venezuela
The two structures, themselves, are four months old and, since the IOM’s work was disseminated, opinions on whether or not the tunnels should be there have been found. Many did not see it logical when talking about a possible reopening of the border.
According to the governor of the state of Táchira, Freddy Bernal, by December 15 the Tienditas bridge should be fully enabled, ready to receive vehicles with the arrival of the year 2023.
The relocation of Colombian Migration officials is another point that many hope Venezuela will imitate, since from the moment you enter the formal pass, on the Venezuelan side, there are several points where officials from citizen security organizations are stationed.
Likewise, more details are expected based on what will be the rules for the circulation of private vehicles and public transport on international bridges.
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