Colombian-Venezuelan Border Research Articles

Post-migration infection with SARS-CoV-2 in Venezuelan migrants: A laboratory-based epidemiological observational study

BackgroundSince 2015, over 6 million Venezuelans migrated to Colombia and neighboring countries. While most people adhered to lockdown measures, migrants kept moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodTo investigate the extent of migration-associated SARS-CoV-2 infections, we interviewed 1209 adult Venezuelan migrants upon arrival to Bucaramanga, Colombia, 200 km from the Colombian-Venezuelan border along the main migration route during April–September 2021, collected individual-level socio-economic and clinical data, sampled blood and saliva, and assessed SARS-CoV-2 infection by serological, molecular and phylogenetic tools. ResultsSARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positivity was 1.9 % (95 % Confidence Interval (CI), 1.2–2.9) without varying significantly over the study period (chi-square, p = 0.922) and significantly associated with stay in Colombia >14 days (p = 0.018; prevalence ratio 3.3, 95 % CI, 1.2–8.7). Pre-existing SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were neither significantly associated with preventing infection (Chi-square, p = 0.188), nor symptom development (Fisher, p = 0.246). Predominance and time of detection of SARS-CoV-2 Mu and Gamma variants in migrants in comparison to available genomic data suggested infection predominantly in Colombia. SARS-CoV-2 IgG-based seroprevalence was 34.2 % (95 % CI, 31.5–36.9). Detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies was significantly associated with previous contact with infected individuals (p = 0.002). ConclusionsSARS-CoV-2 infection occurred predominantly after immigration, potentially facilitated by densely populated border camps. Improved infrastructure and health care will prevent migration-associated spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Colombia-Venezuela border: Securitisation of migration and Venezuela’s political crisis

Colombia and Venezuela share a geographi­cal border of 1,274 miles. Although both countries have historically had contentious border crossings, the antagonistic nature of migration across the borderlands has increased following Venezuela’s current in­ternal political crisis. The article argues that Venezuela’s political climate has led to further securitisation of migration across the Colombian-Venezuelan border. It sup­ports this argument in three ways. First, the article discusses the border as both a geo­graphical and a man-made border. It also examines the similarities and differences that exist across the Colombian-Venezuelan border. The countries share the same lan­guage, Spanish, which unites the region and its diverse peoples with a shared history. Nevertheless, socio-economic, environmen­tal and cultural differences widen the divid­ing lines between these two nations. Second, the article explores the bor­der crossing (migration) trends. The article further discusses the effects and reasons for such border crossings. Third, it explains the securitisation theory and uses it to discuss how the border has become increasingly se­curitised by local and international actors. Finally, the article calls for a de-securitised approach to cross-border migration. In this regard, the article supports greater bilateral, regional and international cooperation to address the plight of people crossing the border and living in border regions

Latitudinal and temporal distribution of aerosols and precipitable water vapor in the tropical Andes from AERONET, sounding, and MERRA-2 data

The aerosol and precipitable water vapor (PW) distribution over the tropical Andes region is characterized using Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) observations at stations in Medellin (Colombia), Quito (Ecuador), Huancayo (Peru), and La Paz (Bolivia). AERONET aerosol optical depth (AOD) is interpreted using PM2.5 data when available. Columnar water vapor derived from ozone soundings at Quito is used to compare against AERONET PW. MERRA-2 data are used to complement analyses. Urban pollution and biomass burning smoke (BBS) dominate the regional aerosol composition. AOD and PM2.5 yearly cycles for coincident measurements correlate linearly at Medellin and Quito. The Andes cordillera’s orientation and elevation funnel or block BBS transport into valleys or highlands during the two fire seasons that systematically impact South America. The February–March season north of Colombia and the Colombian-Venezuelan border directly impacts Medellin. Possibly, the March aerosol signal over Quito has a long-range transport component. At Huancayo and La Paz, AOD increases in September due to the influence of BBS in the Amazon. AERONET PW and sounding data correlate linearly but a dry bias with respect to soundings was identified in AERONET. PW and rainfall progressively decrease from north to south due to increasing altitude. This regional diagnosis is an underlying basis to evaluate future changes in aerosol and PW given prevailing conditions of rapidly changing atmospheric composition.

Unaccompanied or Separated Migrant Children and Adolescents at the Colombian–Venezuelan Border: Loss of the Social Moratorium and Its Implications

This study explains the Venezuelan migration involving unaccompanied or separated adolescents (UASA) on the Colombian–Venezuelan border, specifically in Norte de Santander-Táchira. This explanation is framed within the concept of the social moratorium, highlighting three subcategories that contribute to the early abandonment of childhood: 1. the violation of rights, 2. working life, and 3. confrontation of dangers. These subcategories compel UASA to transition prematurely into youth, assuming social, labor, or family responsibilities. Methodologically, we adopt a narrative approach, conducting group interviews with 24 immigrant children and adolescents. Furthermore, 14 interviews are conducted in 2 local markets, and the remaining 10 on 2 central avenues in the city of Cúcuta, Colombia. We conduct a theoretical analysis drawing upon key concepts, including the social moratorium, social constructionism, interaction, and moral and cognitive development. This theoretical framework helps us understand the consequences for the life prospects of this generation. They arise from factors such as school dropout, exposure to health risks, and the absence of free leisure time. These indicators reflect socioeconomic problems, including poverty, abuse, and violence.

Cafe Galavis: a brand with the aroma of innovation

Learning outcomes Upon completion of the case study, the students will be able to analyze the brand equity construct through the associative neural network model for decision-making; identify prospective scenarios through the Delphi method for the construction of strategic plans in organizations; and propose the innovation of a product by applying creativity techniques to enter international markets. Case overview/synopsis Cafe Galavis was one of the leading family businesses in industrial development and had the highest business recognition, with a century of experience in producing and commercializing roasted and ground coffee in Cucuta, Colombia. In 2015, the diplomatic crisis between the governments of Colombia and Venezuela led to the indefinite closure of the Colombian–Venezuelan border, which caused an increase in income from smuggled coffee. In addition, the presence of different competitors and traditional brands negatively impacted the level of sales, which considerably affected financial stability. Likewise, internal difficulties of family nature and administrative management led to the change of senior management. By 2016, Juan Yáñez was appointed chief executive officer (CEO) and was in charge of avoiding the company’s closure. In January 2023, he received feedback from his consulting team, and upon evaluation of the new market challenges with his collaborators, he realized a great challenge that merited the search for a priority alternative solution. How to design a new product considering the loss of brand identity in the face of the generational change of its consumers? These were some of the challenges posed by the CEO that consequently required starting a strategic management process of innovation. Complexity academic level The teaching case is aimed at students of postgraduate academic programs in the areas of knowledge of innovation, product design, industrial design, marketing or MBA. In the modules of marketing, strategic management, brand management and strategic foresight, the case allowed for the orientation of the concepts of brand value or branding as well as the analysis of the value chain for the implementation of strategies that promote competitive advantages of companies. Similarly, in the modules of product or service design, creativity and innovation and complex thinking, the case allows one to approach a complex problem and apply creativity techniques for its solution. Supplementary material Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS: 8 Marketing.

Perception of the colombian-venezuelan border in the Oriente Noticias news from the regional TV channel TRO

Este artículo presenta los resultados de un proyecto de investigación que tuvo como propósito analizar la percepción acerca del discurso periodístico audiovisual sobre frontera colombo venezolana en el informativo Oriente Noticias que se emite por el Canal de Televisión Regional TRO, con cobertura en los departamentos de Santander y Norte de Santander, en el oriente de Colombia. En el componente metodológico se utilizó el análisis del discurso y el análisis semiótico del texto audiovisual, aplicados a una ventana de observación de cuarenta y cinco (45) días. Los hallazgos del estudio evidenciaron que en las notas periodísticas del noticiero Oriente Noticias aparece una contradicción en su discurso periodístico audiovisual: las imágenes y códigos gráficos apuntan hacia una noción de linealidad –la cámara y las infografías enfatizan en los puentes, alcabalas y demarcaciones que dividen a los dos países-, mientras que los códigos lingüísticos y sonoros apuntan hacia una noción de zonalidad –la voz y el relato sonoro del periodista reiteran la noción de hermandad, de mutualidad, de espacios y costumbres que se comparten entre Colombia y Venezuela.

SARS-CoV-2 in Transit: Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes From Venezuelan Migrants in Colombia

To evaluate the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 from Venezuelan migrants living in Colombia. This study sequenced SARS-CoV-2 from 30 clinical specimens collected from Venezuelan migrants. Genomes were compared with the Wuhan reference genome to identify polymorphisms, reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and perform comparative genomic analyses. Geographic, sociodemographic and clinical data were also studied across genotypes. This study demonstrated the presence of six distinct SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating among Venezuelan migrants, as well as a close relationship between SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences obtained from individuals living in the Venezuelan-Colombian border regions of La Guajira (Colombia) and Zulia (Venezuela). Three clusters (C-1, C-2 and C-3) were well supported by phylogenomic inference, supporting the hypothesis of three potential transmission routes across the Colombian-Venezuelan border. These genomes included point mutations previously associated with increased infectivity. A mutation (L18F) in the N-terminal domain of the spike protein that has been associated with compromised binding of neutralizing antibodies was found in 2 of 30 (6.6%) genomes. A statistically significant association was identified with symptomatology for cluster C2. The close phylogenetic relationships between SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Venezuelan migrants and from people living at the Venezuela-Colombian border support the importance of human movements for the spread of COVID-19 and for emerging virus variants.

Phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis of dengue virus serotypes circulating at the Colombian-Venezuelan border during 2015-2016 and 2018-2019.

Dengue is an endemic disease in Colombia. Norte de Santander is a region on the border of Colombia and Venezuela and has reported the co-circulation and simultaneous co-infection of different serotypes of the dengue virus (DENV). This study aimed to conduct a phylogenetic analysis on the origin and genetic diversity of DENV strains circulating in this bordering region. Serum samples were collected from patients who were clinically diagnosed with febrile syndrome associated with dengue during two periods. These samples were tested for DENV and serotyping was performed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Subsequently, positive samples were amplified and the envelope protein gene of DENV was sequenced. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were performed using the sequences obtained. Basic local alignment search tool analysis confirmed that six and eight sequences belonged to DENV-1 and DENV-2, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis of DENV-1 showed that the sequences belonged to genotype V and clade I; they formed two groups: in the first group, two sequences showed a close phylogenetic relationship with strains from Ecuador and Panama, whereas the other four sequences were grouped with strains from Venezuela and Colombia. In the case of DENV-2, the analysis revealed that the sequences belonged to the Asian-American genotype and clade III. Furthermore, they formed two groups; in the first group, three sequences were grouped with strains from Colombia and Venezuela, whereas the other five were grouped with strains from Venezuela, Colombia and Honduras. This phylogenetic analysis suggests that the geographical proximity between Colombia and Venezuela is favourable for the export and import of different strains among serotypes or clades of the same DENV serotype, which could favour the spread of new outbreaks caused by new strains or genetic variants of this arbovirus. Therefore, this information highlights the importance of monitoring the transmission of DENV at border regions.

Reclutamiento de migrantes en la frontera colombo-venezolana

Recruitment has been a phenomenon present in the context of the Colombian armed conflict. Thus, illegal armed groups (ELN, dissent from the former FARC, paramilitary groups, drug traffickers, among others) have seen migration as an opportunity to increase the number of members in their ranks. Thus, the exodus of Venezuelans has become an attractive phenomenon for recruitment where armed groups take advantage of irregular dynamics and socio-territorial complexities to increase the range of action of attacks, fighting and presence. That said, the research question is: How has the flow of Venezuelan migrants on the Colombian-Venezuelan border contributed to the strengthening of illegal armed actors? Due to the lack of academic information, the investigation will use as collection instruments: interviews with academics, decision makers and journalistic work.

The impact of immigration on tuberculosis and HIV burden between Colombia and Venezuela and across frontier regions.

Historically, human migrations have determined the spread of many infectious diseases by promoting the emergence of temporal outbreaks between populations. We aimed to analyze health indicators, expenditure, and disability caused by tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS burden under the Colombian-Venezuelan migration flow focusing on the Northeastern border. A retrospective study was conducted using TB and HIV/AIDS data since 2009. We consolidated a database using official reports from the Colombian Surveillance System, World Health Organization, Indexmundi, the Global Health Observatory, IHME HIV atlas, and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Disability metrics regarding DALYs (disability adjusted life years) and YLDs (years lived with disability), were compared between countries. Mapping was performed on ArcGIS using official migration data of Venezuelan citizens. Our results indicate that TB profiles from Colombia and Venezuela are identical in terms of disease burden, except for an increase in TB incidence in the Colombian-Venezuelan border departments in recent years, concomitantly with the massive Venezuelan immigration since 2005. We identified a four-fold underfunding for the TB program in Venezuela, which might explain the low-testing rates for cases of multidrug-resistant TB (67%) and HIV/AIDS (60%), as well as extended hospital stays (150 days). We found a significant increase in DALYs of HIV/AIDS patients in Venezuela, specifically, 362.35 compared to 265.37 observed in Colombia during 2017. This study suggests that the Venezuelan massive migration and program underfunding might exacerbate the dual burden of TB and HIV in Colombia, especially towards the Colombian-Venezuelan border.

SARS-CoV-2 spread across the Colombian-Venezuelan border.

IntroductionVenezuela and Colombia both adopted measures of containment early in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Venezuela's ongoing humanitarian crisis has decimated its health care system, and forced millions of Venezuelans to flee through its porous border with Colombia. The extensive shared border, and illegal cross-border transit through improvised trails between the two countries are major challenges for public health authorities. We report the first SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Venezuela, and present a snapshot of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemiologic landscape in the Colombian-Venezuelan border region.MethodsWe sequenced and assembled viral genomes from total RNA extracted from nasopharyngeal (NP) clinical specimens using a custom reference-based analysis pipeline. Three assemblies obtained were subjected to typing using the Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak LINeages ‘Pangolin’ tool. A total of 376 publicly available SARS-CoV-2 genomes from South America were obtained from the GISAID database to perform comparative genomic analyses. Additionally, the Wuhan-1 strain was used as reference.ResultsWe found that two of the SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Venezuela belonged to the B1 lineage, and the third to the B.1.13 lineage. We observed a point mutation in the Spike protein gene (D614G substitution), previously reported to be associated with increased infectivity, in all three Venezuelan genomes. Additionally, three mutations (R203K/G204R substitution) were present in the nucleocapsid (N) gene of one Venezuelan genome.ConclusionsGenomic sequencing demonstrates similarity between SARS-CoV-2 lineages from Venezuela and viruses collected from patients in bordering areas in Colombia and from Brazil, consistent with cross-border transit despite administrative measures including lockdowns. The presence of mutations associated with increased infectivity in the 3 Venezuelan genomes we report and Colombian SARS-CoV-2 genomes from neighboring borders areas may pose additional challenges for control of SARS-CoV-2 spread in the complex epidemiological landscape in Latin American countries. Public health authorities should carefully follow the progress of the pandemic and its impact on displaced populations within the region.

Promoting the rights of migrant children in the educational institutions on the colombian-venezuelan border.

This article arises before the panorama of the political, economic and social crisis that the neighboring country of Venezuela has suffered in recent years, which has caused a large number of the Venezuelan population to migrate to different countries in search of better life conditions. Among them are boys and girls, who, faced with the need to continue their educational process, have begun their studies in various public schools in the city of San José de Cúcuta. This new phenomenon has caused a change in school environments, with different consequences, including the ever-increasing risk of problems of discrimination and xenophobia, where Venezuelan boys and girls may be exposed to abuse due to their socio-economic condition and their age. Based on this situation, the Human Rights Research Seedbed –SEMDHUM-, attached to the Law program of the Francisco de Paula Santander University, proposed an extension project that developed a culture of peace and coexistence, based on the investigation of the International and national normative framework regarding the right to education and equality of migrant children, educational pedagogical spaces were also generated in public primary educational institutions in the city of San José de Cúcuta, in order to raise awareness and train on the rights of migrant children in school and thus appropriate children in human rights, equality and non-discrimination. To carry out this project, the qualitative methodology and the pedagogical play method were applied, through activities and games, where the child learns and demonstrates their different perspectives and knowledge, improving the student and cultural environment.

Modelo estructural de correlación entre prácticas saludables y estrategia, en instituciones de salud de la frontera colombo-venezolana.

En las instituciones de salud se hace necesaria la gestión bajo la perspectiva de prácticas saludables, a los fines de inicidir favorablemente en la eficiencia laboral y organizacional, tomando en cuenta las cargas de trabajo y el estrés laboral al cual se ven sometidos los trabajadores hospitalarios. En estos términos, la investigación tuvo por objeto establecer un modelo estructural para determinar la relación existente entre las estrategias organizacionales y las prácticas saludables en las Instituciones Prestadoras de Salud (IPS) de la zona fronteriza colombo-venezolana. La metodología fue cuantitativa, correlacional y de análisis factorial confirmatorio, aplicada a una muestra de 50 instituciones. Las fases del análisis fueron: el trabajo de campo para identificar y describir las estrategias y prácticas saludables en las empresas objeto de estudio; la identificación de los factores asociados a través de análisis factorial exploratorio; el análisis confirmatorio y contraste de resultados con la conceptualización teórica. Los resultados señalan que las variables planeación, recurso humano y ambiente, no tiene incidencia ni asociación con la estrategia, mientras que la variable stakeholders posee una alta relación. Se concluye que los factores de primer orden del modelo estructural lo conforman variables observables con cargas factoriales estadísticamente significativas.

La minería criminal en el río Atabapo frontera colombo venezolana: propuestas de solución

El propósito de este artículo es describir el fenómeno de la minería criminal en el río Atabapo límite territorial con Venezuela, y presentar propuestas de solución a este fenómeno. Este es producto de una investigación descriptiva. Presenta un diagnóstico de los aspectos influyentes en el ámbito económico, social, político y militar; y los efectos de estos a futuro de no generarse o contar con una política que permita regular tal actividad. En el aspecto económico los pobladores mayoritariamente indígenas han cambiado la forma de sustentarse debido a la generación de empleo directo por parte de grupos que desarrollan actividades de minería criminal, así también como la afectación de esta actividad en el tema de regalías. En el aspecto social es importante atender la afectación a mediano y largo plazo de la salud de la población de los dos países generada por el vertimiento de elementos como mercurio y cianuro. En el aspecto político, el desconocimiento de la población del área referente a la normatividad minera, la afectación de la soberanía de los dos países dada por la influencia del hombre en el lecho del río. En el ámbito militar actualmente en área y en general en esta parte de la frontera se encuentran grupos al margen de la ley que se ubican estratégicamente en la frontera Colombo-Venezolana con el objetivo de consolidar corredores tácticos de movilidad.

Las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación como mediadoras de políticas públicas para la reducción de la pobreza en dos municipios fronterizos colombo-venezolanos

El artículo muestra el análisis del papel de las tecnologías de información y comunicación (TIC) como mediadoras de políticas públicas dirigidas a la reducción de la pobreza en los municipios Bolívar y Villa del Rosario de la frontera colombo-venezolana; al seguir la metodología cuantitativa se halló su influencia comunicacional al proveer información, acortando la brecha digital e incitando el empoderamiento.

School Dropout of Adolescent Mothers in a Colombian-Venezuelan Border

The objective was to compare school dropout of adolescent mothers in the Venezuelan-Colombian border of Tachira State and the North of Santander, considering as factors the age at the moment of abandoning the studies, the educational level and the school performance before the desertion for the determination of requirements conducive to social development. The quantitative methodology was used with two samples: 235 adolescent mothers in Tachira and 406 in North of Santander. The results indicate for both contexts a statistically significant association between school dropout before pregnancy and age at school dropout, educational level and independence with previous academic performance. It is noted that in the abandonment of studies, influences the sociological age by an advance of roles unrelated to chronological age. It is concluded that a quality education that involves professional preparation and stops adolescent pregnancy through curricular planning according to childhood and youth that motivates intrinsically and extrinsically towards a better future is required in the studied reality.

The Piaroa subject marking system and its diachrony

AbstractPiaroa, a member of the Sáliban language family, is spoken on both sides of the Colombian-Venezuelan border. Based on unpublished fieldwork data for Mako and Piaroa and published Piaroa and Sáliba data, this article focuses on the Piaroa subject marking system and its origins. I show that the subject prefixes and inner suffixes used in future tense were inherited from Proto-Sáliban and must therefore have preceded the rise of the right-margin subject markers ‑sæ, -hæand ‑Ø. Based on comparative Mako data, I propose that these markers are old copular suffixes that entered the verbal domain through a nominal predication construction whose use expanded to encode habitual aspect. This research not only constitutes an important contribution to the description of Piaroa but also expands, within a Diachronic Construction Grammar approach, our understanding of complex systems of person marking, the origins of multiple exponence, and the role of multiple source constructions in paradigm creation.

Perceived severity of smuggling at the border of Táchira-North of Santander: Health Psychology Approach

ABSTRACT This study analyzed the differences in the perception of severity of smuggling between consumers and smugglers of the Colombian-Venezuelan border. A correlational-comparative design was used, and the population selected was the inhabitants of North of Santander Department, Colombia, calculating a stratified randomized sampling for 2,383 people. It was found that 6% of the sample belonged to illegal traders, being mostly men. The comparison performed by sex concluded that the level of severity perceived is greater in women, and both groups gave greater relevance to the risk of losing the economic investment front others risks of more severity. The comparison by municipalities, revealed that the capital presented lower levels of perceived severity than other territories. In addition, greater perceived severity of smuggling in young adults, heads of household, married people, traders who earned less than two Colombian minimum wages and who traded individually were identified. Finally, a positive relationship was found between the level of perceived severity and conditions such as the number of products smuggled or work income.

Co-circulation and simultaneous co-infection of dengue, chikungunya, and zika viruses in patients with febrile syndrome at the Colombian-Venezuelan border

BackgroundIn Colombia, the dengue virus (DENV) has been endemic for decades, and with the recent entry of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) (2014) and the Zika virus (ZIKV) (2015), health systems are overloaded because the diagnosis of these three diseases is based on clinical symptoms, and the three diseases share a symptomatology of febrile syndrome. Thus, the objective of this study was to use molecular methods to identify their co-circulation as well as the prevalence of co-infections, in a cohort of patients at the Colombian-Venezuelan border.MethodsA total of 157 serum samples from patients with febrile syndrome consistent with DENV were collected after informed consent and processed for the identification of DENV (conventional PCR and real-time PCR), CHIKV (conventional PCR), and ZIKV (real-time PCR). DENV-positive samples were serotyped, and some of those positive for DENV and CHIKV were sequenced.ResultsEighty-two patients were positive for one or more viruses: 33 (21.02%) for DENV, 47 (29.94%) for CHIKV, and 29 (18.47%) for ZIKV. The mean age range of the infected population was statistically higher in the patients infected with ZIKV (29.72 years) than in those infected with DENV or CHIKV (21.09 years). Both co-circulation and co-infection of these three viruses was found. The prevalence of DENV/CHIKV, DENV/ZIKV, and CHIKV/ZIKV co-infection was 7.64%, 6.37%, and 5.10%, with attack rates of 14.90, 12.42, and 9.93 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. Furthermore, three patients were found to be co-infected with all three viruses (prevalence of 1.91%), with an attack rate of 4.96 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.ConclusionOur results demonstrate the simultaneous co-circulation of DENV, CHIKV, ZIKV and their co-infections at the Colombian-Venezuelan border. Moreover, it is necessary to improve the differential diagnosis in patients with acute febrile syndrome and to study the possible consequences of this epidemiological overview of the clinical outcomes of these diseases in endemic regions.

Colombian-Venezuelan Border Integration: The Utopia of the Táchira State and the Department of Norte de Santander

The paper discusses the integration process of the Colombian‑ Venezuelan frontier in 2005, which included the regions of Táchira and Norte de Santander, as an experience initially made in the legal framework of the Andean Community of Nations (Spanish: Comunidad Andina de Naciones, CAN). Decision 501 facilitates the creation of a border integration zone – BIZ – that would contribute to and strengthen the border development, in an area that has juridical, administrative and functional conducive conditions. For this reason, a Border Integration Zone – BIZ – would help counteract backwardness and make possible a number of joint regional projects that would give support to integration. The study shows a retrospective analysis of binational discussion topics as far as it was possible within the dialogue, and before the obstacles that stopped the way which concluded with the cancellation of the negotiation rounds in 2008. At the same time, it considers the Venezuelan role afterward Colombia had signed the free trade agreement with the US, and the perception of this fact by the border inhabitants of Táchira state. In a reality that the development perspectives, based in markets integration, are not clear inside the Venezuelan geopolitics to become part of the process.