At least four cars and three motorcycles were set on fire on Tuesday at Colombia’s border with Venezuela following local discontent of the enforcement of strict Venezuelan counter-contraband strategies.
Taxi drivers and street vendors protested Tuesday for the strict counter-contraband measures that are being taken by Caracas which include closing the Francisco de Paula Santander and the Simon Bolivar border bridges at night.
MORE: Colombia, Venezuela border closure causing discontent
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By Wednesday morning, the violence has reduced traffic crossing the border of Colombia and Venezuela by 50%, reported Caracol Radio. The protests resulted in damages to Colombia’s tax offices. The DIAN, Colombia’s tax agency, had to suspend operations due to the manifestations.
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According to El Tiempo newspaper, one of the protesters blamed the Venezuelan National Guard of being very arbitrary in the enforcement of contraband measures, not even letting a kilo of meat or rice across the border.
Colombia’s riot police, ESMAD eventually arrived to the region and retook the border bridges from the protesters.