Colombia, Venezuela working to coordinate border reopening, minister says

FILE PHOTO: People cross the Simon Bolivar International Bridge on the border between Colombia and Venezuela as Colombia's President-elect Gustavo Petro aims to normalize relations and encourage trade with Venezuela, as seen from Villa del Rosario, Colombia June 28, 2022. Picture taken June 28, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Eduardo Ramirez

CUCUTA, Colombia (Reuters) - The full reopening of the Colombia-Venezuela border will come sooner rather than later, but will depend on legal conditions and the overall re-establishment of bilateral ties, Colombia's commerce minister said on Thursday.

"The border will open soon, but at the time when we have that coordination," Commerce Minister German Umana said during a meeting in Cucuta of business people from both sides of the border, including the Colombia-Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce.