Cross-border Dynamics and Informal Markets between Colombia and Venezuela: The Case of Cúcuta and San Antonio

Alberto Hernández

Journal of Borderlands Studies, 2024, vol. 39, issue 6, 1141-1160

Abstract: This paper explores some of the cross-border dynamics in Cucuta, Colombia, and Ureña/San Antonio, Venezuela, particularly highlighting the interplay of informal markets and illicit border crossings, known as trochas. This study considers the significant changes that have transformed the Colombia-Venezuela border landscape over the past two decades. The essential function that trochas play in sustaining these cross-border interactions is underscored, as is the resilience of local inhabitants who eke out a living through informal labor and participation in various illicit markets along this border segment. The ethnographic evidence presented is derived from multiple visits to the region conducted from 2016 to 2022, offering an illuminating portrayal of these border zones and the variety of trade relations that prevail within the named cities. These relations encompass a broad spectrum of both legal and informal activities, including the smuggling of goods.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1080/08865655.2023.2289104

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