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Venezuela reopens Colombian border to allow shoppers to cross Venezuela reopens Colombian border to allow shoppers to cross
(about 20 hours later)
Venezuela has opened its border with Colombia for the second time this month to allow people to cross over to shop for basic foods and medicines.Venezuela has opened its border with Colombia for the second time this month to allow people to cross over to shop for basic foods and medicines.
Last week 35,000 crossed over for the first time since the border was closed a year ago by President Nicolas Maduro to fight cross-border crime.Last week 35,000 crossed over for the first time since the border was closed a year ago by President Nicolas Maduro to fight cross-border crime.
Officials said at least that many had entered Colombia on Saturday. Officials said at least 100,000 entered Colombia over the weekend.
Many basic goods are in short supply in Venezuela because of a severe economic crisis in the country.Many basic goods are in short supply in Venezuela because of a severe economic crisis in the country.
Venezuela re-opens border with Colombia The border across a pedestrian bridge connecting Tachira in Venezuela and Cucuta in Colombia opened on Saturday, a day earlier than authorities from both countries had previously announced.
The border across a pedestrian bridge connecting Tachira in Venezuela and Cucuta in Colombia opened a day earlier than authorities from both countries had previously announced.
Officials said they wanted to avoid the build-up of too many people.Officials said they wanted to avoid the build-up of too many people.
It was expected to stay open into Sunday. It stayed open into Sunday.
Venezuelans cross borderVenezuelans cross border
Growing discontent on the streetsGrowing discontent on the streets
Women push past border controlsWomen push past border controls
Venezuela has suffered severe shortages for months as a result of the falling price of oil which is the country's prime source of income.Venezuela has suffered severe shortages for months as a result of the falling price of oil which is the country's prime source of income.
Many supermarket have empty shelves and Venezuelans spend days in queues to buy basic goods.Many supermarket have empty shelves and Venezuelans spend days in queues to buy basic goods.
Government critics also blame President Maduro for severe mismanagement of the economy. The opposition blames the government for the economic crisis, saying its policies have left businesses unable to import raw materials and essential parts.
Mr Maduro for his part has blamed the country's business community for the shortages. The president of Congress, Henry Ramos Allup, said that President Maduro had ignored "the human sea" which had crossed the frontier searching for food.
Congresswoman Adriana Pichardo said "Venezuelans are looking for basic food that the government can't supply."
President Maduro has said his government is the victim of a economic war.
He ordered the border to be closed in August 2015 after former Colombian paramilitaries attacked a Venezuelan military patrol and wounded three soldiers.He ordered the border to be closed in August 2015 after former Colombian paramilitaries attacked a Venezuelan military patrol and wounded three soldiers.