Venezuela-Colombia trade relations show signs of improvement.

Colombia and Venezuela have begun to mend their diplomatic relations, leading to the reopening of border posts and the resumption of trade. The border used to be a bustling commercial hub, with trade between the two countries topping $7 billion in 2007. However, diplomatic and commercial relations broke down as Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, cracked down on the country's democracy. The drop in trade was extraordinary, with formal trade shrinking to about $300 million in 2021. Colombia's new leftist leader, Gustavo Petro, has reestablished diplomatic relations and jumpstarted trade, with the hope of boosting the economy, reactivating trade, and improving security along the nearly 1,400-mile-long border with Venezuela.