The situation at the Colombia–Venezuela border has returned to normal after U.S. strikes on Venezuela.
After the U.S. raid on Jan 3, the Colombian government announced a temporary closure of a bustling border port with Venezuela in the Colombian town of Cucuta. Traffic resumed a day later, even as authorities continued to strengthen the deployment of security forces.
According to media reports at the time, the Colombian government deployed 11,000 soldiers along the border.
Military forces have since completely withdrawn. The border on the Colombian side has returned to its pre-raid state, with traffic appearing normal on the border bridge.
Agricela Funez, a Venezuelan waitress who works at a restaurant near the border checkpoint in Cucuta, said the security situation has since eased.
"The security situation has changed. They (the soldiers) withdrew and everything returned to normal. The military forces were stationed here for only about a week; there were many soldiers, military vehicles, and journalists," said Funez.
Funez said she was extremely worried about the safety of her two daughters, who live in Caracas, Venezuela's capital, when the attacks occurred. She added that she believes the United States wants Venezuela's natural resources.
"I was scared because I have family in Caracas. At 01:00, I received a call from my family. I was sleeping. I burst into tears when I received the call. It (The U.S. attack on Venezuela) was wrong. Many people lost their lives. I think what they want is the natural resources and wealth that we, Venezuela, possess," said Funez.
Another Venezuelan immigrant living in Colombia also said he believes the U.S. wants Venezuela’s oil.
"To seize all of Venezuela's wealth, especially its oil," he said.
Order returns to normal at Colombia-Venezuela border
