A fragile and tense calm has descended upon the crucial border between Venezuela and Colombia, just one day after the extraordinary capture and rendition of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by United States forces.
Business as Usual, But Under a Cloud of Uncertainty
At the primary crossing point, the Simón Bolívar International Bridge spanning the Táchira River, both foot and vehicle traffic appeared to flow normally. However, the atmosphere was thick with uncertainty about the future. A member of the Bolivarian National Guard on the Venezuelan side confirmed that no new orders had been received from military leadership, despite the seismic political shift. "Things are a bit tense but we have been given no new orders," he stated, adding a firm belief that "whoever governs us has to be a Venezuelan."
The tension was palpable among authorities. The soldier's commanding officer abruptly ended an interview with a reporter, angrily seizing a page from her notebook and instructing her to return to Colombia.
Colombian Concerns Over Sovereignty and Stability
The reverberations of the US action were strongly felt in neighbouring Colombia, which hosts over 2 million Venezuelans who have fled economic collapse and repression. Colombia's left-wing President, Gustavo Petro, condemned the capture as an "assault on the sovereignty" of Latin America, warning it would precipitate a humanitarian crisis.
His criticism drew a fierce rebuke from US President Donald Trump, who told Petro to "watch his ass." In response, Colombia's Defence Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced that security around the president had been reinforced. Sánchez emphasised the military's role in protecting both national sovereignty and the democratic structure, highlighting organised crime and rebel groups like the National Liberation Army (ELN) as the primary threats along the 2,200 km border.
The ELN itself, a powerful guerrilla army with a strong presence in Venezuela, issued a statement lambasting Maduro's detention as another attack by "American imperialism" on national sovereignty.
Preparing for a Potential Humanitarian Emergency
Fearing a potential new wave of refugees if violence erupts, Colombian authorities have activated contingency plans. The Colombian Red Cross established a triage post with an ambulance at the border as a preventive measure. Volunteer Pedro Casanova indicated that while no large-scale movement had yet occurred, plans accounted for a worst-case scenario of up to 120,000 people crossing.
On the ground, the immediate impact was economic. Venezuelan shopkeeper Nubiola Fanco crossed into Colombia to restock her general store after panicked customers "cleaned out the whole store" following news of Maduro's arrest. Similarly, construction worker Oxiel Pérez shopped for his extended family, noting many shops on the Venezuelan side were closed after the rush for essentials. "Just in case," he explained.
Muted Celebrations and Cautious Hope Among Exiles
Amid the uncertainty, Venezuelan exiles in Colombia held subdued gatherings. At a rally in Cúcuta, chants of "Freedom!" echoed and the national anthem was sung, with many wrapped in the Venezuelan flag. While the desire to return home was fervent, it was tempered by caution. Exile Rynna Mora, 41, enthusiastically raised her hand when asked who had packed their bags, but admitted, "I would love to go back tomorrow but I'll have to wait and see how things settle."
The situation remains volatile, with reporting inside Venezuela severely restricted by the government. The path forward for the nation, and for the millions affected on both sides of its border, is shrouded in doubt as the world watches the aftermath of this unprecedented intervention.
