Thousands of Venezuelans stream into neighbouring Colombia

 

Thousands of Venezuelans have again streamed into neighbouring Colombia to take advantage of a temporary opening of the border to get supplies unavailable in their country.

Colombia’s government says about 44,000 people crossed just on Saturday to buy food, medicine and cleaning products.

The president formerly opened the border last Sunday, attracting some 35,000 people, and this weekend allowed crossings both Saturday and Sunday.

Socialist President Nicolas Maduro shut the border last year in an effort to crack down on smuggling of subsidized products.

Venezuela’s product shortages have since worsened, creating further incentives to buy goods in Colombia and bring them back.