Atanasio Girardot “Tienditas” Bridge Opens Between Colombia And Venezuela

On New Year’s Day, The Colombian and Venezuelan governments held a small celebration opening the Tienditas (little stores) Bridge, linking Villa del Rosario in the Norte de Santander department of Colombia, on the outskirts of Cúcuta, with Pedro Maria Ureña, in the state of Táchira, Venezuela.

Construction began on the bridge, formally named the Atanasio Girardot Bridge, in 2014, but though finished, was never put into service, and was blocked off by containers after an armed standoff between the two countries in 2019.

In January of that year, then Colombian President Ivan Duque joined Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and the US in breaking ties with the country after political intervention in Venezuela worsened, and called on Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro to step down. In February, after the Venezuela Aid Live concert backed by British impresario Richard Branson was held on the Colombian side of the border near the bridge, anti-Maduro activists in Colombia and Brazil attempted to forcefully transport food, medicine, and other goods into Venezuela. Law enforcement used tear gas and rubber bullets in several instances while vehicles were set on fire and opposition forces threw Molotov cocktails. At least two people died and some 300 were injured during a chaotic weekend. Afterwards, Maduro cut diplomatic ties with Colombia, and the bridge did not open.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro last year ran on a campaign platform of normalizing ties and reducing tensions with the Maduro regime in Venezuela. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Álvaro Leyva Durán, said that with the implementation of this infrastructure “the commitments of the governments of Colombia and Venezuela and the desire of Presidents Gustavo Petro and Nicolás Maduro, to advance in normalization of our relations, materialize. This is work that will allow us to ensure peace and security on our border and will directly benefit our peoples.”

The opening of the Tienditas bridge is part of a process of reestablishing border crossings that began September 26 with the opening of the Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander bridges along the border with Norte de Santander. With the commissioning of the Atanasio Girardot bridge, since the beginning of 2023 all the crossings are fully enabled, including those of Arauca, Puerto Santander and river crossings.

The Atanasio Girardot bridge is located about 20 minutes from downtown Cúcuta, near the Villa Silvania sector, and about 10 kilometers north of the existing Simón International Bridge. The bridge crosses the Táchira River, and has six lanes for vehicles to circulate in both directions.

Some of the land border crossings with Venezuela have been closed for up to 7 years.

Crossing Requirements

Venezuela to Colombia

• Drivers must have documents proving ownership of vehicle
• SOAT or equivalent insurance coverage
• License plates in good condition
• Vehicle in optimal mechanical and safety conditions
• For stays exceeding 3 months, the vehicle must pass a mechanical/safety review
• Drivers must have a current, valid driver license
• All individuals must have a valid passport, Venezuelan cédula, Special Permanence Permit (PEP), Temporary Protection Permit (PPT), or Border Mobility Card (TMF).

Colombia to Venezuela

• Driver must have proof of ownership of the vehicle
• Proof of insurance coverage valid within Venezuela
• License plates in good condition
• Vehicle in optimal mechanical and safety conditions
• Drivers must have a current, valid driver license
• All individuals must have a valid passport or Colombian cédula

In the case of cargo transport vehicles, in addition to policies and certificates of optimal mechanical and safety conditions, the border authority will require the certificate or document of suitability granted to the company and permission to provide services or complementary permit for the provision of services for cargo.

Travel advisory

Nationals of other countries are advised to consult with their foreign ministry regarding travel requirements and advice for Venezuela. The US State Department flatly states: “Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, kidnapping, and the arrest and detention of U.S. citizens without due process or fair trial guarantees.”