Colombia, Venezuela set to reopen cargo trade at two major crossings

Venezuelans walk over the Simon Bolivar International Bridge, before the official reopening of the border, in Cucuta, Colombia September 25, 2022. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

SAN ANTONIO DE TACHIRA, Venezuela/CUCUTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Colombia and Venezuela are set on Monday to reopen cargo transport at two major border crossings, potentially enabling billions of dollars in trade after years of icy bilateral relations and heavily-restricted economic ties.

The re-opening - which will see goods like coal, toilet paper and fruit moved through crossings between the Colombian city of Cucuta and the Venezuelan state of Tachira - was a key campaign promise of Colombia's new leftist President Gustavo Petro.