Friday September 3, at the Customs Headquarters in San Antonio del Táchira, very
close to the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, met Victor Bautista, Secretary of
Borders of North of Santander; Freddy Alirio Bernal, delegate of the Government of
the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Protector of Táchira State, and the
different entities that provide support in the area, in order to analyze a possible
reopening of the border crossings between the two countries.
One of the main announcements after the meeting was the reactivation of the
customs platforms at the border crossings of Táchira and North of Santander, under
national regulations and security measures.
As reported, a working group was created between the Integrated National Service
of Customs and Tax Administration (Seniat) of Venezuela and the Directorate of
National Taxes and Customs of Colombia (DIAN), so that these entities will be in
charge of establishing the times and the forms for such reactivation.
Another priority issue was the activation of humanitarian corridors in order to
especially benefit Venezuelan children who reside in the State of Táchira and who
advance attending their studies in Colombia.
“4,500 minors who study in Cúcuta, Villa del Rosario, Ragonvalia, Herrán and Puerto
Santander live in Venezuela.”
This request, had become a clamour from the parents of the minors and from
different educational organizations in the Venezuelan country.
It was agreed the immediate step of the 372 venezuelan students who will present
this weekend the State Tests “Saber” in the different educational institutions of the
department at the North of Santander.
Venezuela announced the vaccination of the families of the almost 5,000 students
who live on the Venezuelan side of the border and the coordination to allow regular
student passage in the coming weeks. For this purpose, a working group was
created that will be in charge of all logistics.
“The Government of North of Santander would provide the buses that Cúcuta have
in order to pick them up and take the children to their schools, and it is proposed that
this school corridor could be activated in the next eight days,” said the Departmental
Secretary of Border of North of Santander.
While the Parliamentary and Protector Freddy Bernal reported that buses from the
State of Táchira will do the same to pick up the children in the schools of Norte of
Santander in the afternoon and take them to their homes in the State of Táchira. “
Finally, the door was opened to a gradual commercial reopening. According to the
Protector of the State of Táchira Freddy Bernal, this process will be carried out under
“immunization, biosecurity and epidemiological surveillance actions.”
“I have also received a call from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro who, of
course, gives us the go-ahead and congratulates the meeting. This has been an
encounter of a spirit of fellowship and unity”, added Freddy Bernal.
President of Colombia Iván Duque, through his social networks, expressed that he
welcomes the rapprochement between North of Santander and the State of Táchira.
Declaration of San Antonio.
Cross-border group Táchira – North of Santander for the reopening of border
crossings, and the strengthening of the economic reactivation.
At the end of the cross-border meeting between the delegations of the North of
Santander and the State of Táchira, an agreement was reached regarding three
points that are in line with the controlled reopening process and the biosecurity of
border crossings.
Representing the Department of North of Santander, Victor Bautista Olarte in his
capacity as Secretary of Borders and International Cooperation; on the other part in
representation of the Venezuelan Authorities of the State of Táchira, The Protector
of Táchira State Freddy Alirio Bernal.
As a conclusion of the work carried out by the cross-border group, the following
actions were defined:
1.- In relation to the establishment of the cross-border biosecurity student corridor, it
was agreed to advance in the children student vaccination process, for this purpose
three vaccination posts will be established: in the Customs corridors in Boca Grita,
San Antonio and Urena.
It was agreed immediately, the step for the 371 children who should take the State
Tests on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September 2021 in the different educational
institutions of Norte de Santander, Colombia.
Regarding the return to classes of the boys and girls who live in the State of Táchira
and study in North of Santander, a Working Group was created to coordinate the
logistical and operational aspects for such end.
- In relation to the Reactivation of the Customs Platform in the authorized border
crossings Táchira – North of Santander, under the existing national provisions and
biosafety measures, the SENIAT and DIAN working group was created, which will
establish the forms and operating times according to existing national regulations.
3- Regarding the process of migratory mobility, it will be developed under
immunization measures, biosecurity and epidemiological surveillance of the State of
Táchira and the Department of North of Santander, which allows strengthening the
controlled opening of the border.
The authorities of both regions will carry out the corresponding follow-up and hope
to develop the agreed activities in the coming weeks, which are subject to the
approval and validation of the competent national entities.
In the city of San Antonio del Táchira September 3, 2021.
Víctor Bautista Olarte
Secretary of Border and International
Cooperation North Santander
Freddy Alirio Bernal
Protector of Táchira State
