Venezuela to close Colombia border at night to slow smuggling
Source: Reuters
Venezuela will close its border with neighboring Colombia at night to prevent smuggling of heavily subsidized fuel and food, a top military officer said on Saturday.
The government will shut traffic across the border between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. starting Monday, and limit movement of cargo vehicles in border municipalities to prevent lucrative cross-border trade.
"With these measures we are increasing the mechanisms to minimize contraband," Gen. Vladimir Padrino said on state television.
Venezuela's heavy subsidies on consumer goods allow smugglers to buy up products ranging from gasoline and diesel to cooking oil and corn flour, then drive the goods across the border to Colombia, where they can be resold for a quick profit.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/09/us-venezuela-colombia-idUSKBN0G90P220140809