Venezuela-Colombia Third Commission Meeting Boosts Regional Integration
This Thursday, 11 working groups were set up in Caracas to review the areas of cooperation between Venezuela and Colombia. Photo: Venezuelan Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs.
April 23, 2026 Hour: 9:30 pm
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Venezuela and Colombia today launched the III Meeting of their Binational Neighborhood and Integration Commission in Caracas, aiming to strengthen brotherhood and advance cooperation initiatives.
In a significant diplomatic event, the Venezuelan Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Relations, Yván Gil, alongside his Colombian counterpart, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, officially installed in Caracas the III Meeting of the Binational Neighborhood and Integration Commission.
This meeting occured just ahead of an anticipated meeting in Caracas between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez to be held tomorrow.
RELATED: Petro to Visit Caracas for Talks with Delcy Rodríguez
The Venezuelan diplomat emphasized the inherent connection between Venezuela and Colombia, stating that “they are called, through this commission, to advance in constructing an inexorable path of union”. This high-level gathering aims to solidify regional peace and refine economic agreements that will directly benefit the peoples of both nations.
“The effort made by each of you, comrades, is fundamental, because it seeks to resolve, to clear away, each and every one of the limitations we may face that threaten this policy of union. In an increasingly complex world, where wars, violence, the inhumane seem to prevail over peace, the humane, coexistence, we have the absolute responsibility to move forward together on this path. And it has not been, nor will it be, an easy or simple task”, Gil stated.
“We must be an example to the world, not an example of dissolution, not an example of difference, of confrontation, but quite the opposite”, he added.
Text reads: “On behalf of the Bolivarian Government, it is an honor to welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia, Rosa Villavicencio, in the framework of the III Meeting of the Committee for Neighborhood and Integration, which will be held on April 23 and 24. This is a valuable opportunity for our Governments, businesses and communities to strengthen cooperation in various areas, such as trade, industry, tourism, energy, culture, health, defense and security. To achieve this, 11 working groups will be established to facilitate constructive dialogues, define parameters and allow the development of future joint projects.”
For her part, Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio stressed that only through “joint work, permanent dialogue, and effective cooperation, can we build real paths to well-being, development, and integration for our populations, especially in those residing in our border areas, where integration is not an abstract concept but a daily reality.”
“In that spirit, the Neighborhood and Integration Commission, created in 2023 by our Foreign Ministers, represents a fundamental political mechanism for encounter, dialogue and joint construction. It is the space where we reaffirm that, beyond temporary circumstances, there is a firm will to move towards a relationship based on trust, cooperation, and mutual benefit”, she affirmed.
Open Borders Prioritized
The III Meeting of the Colombia-Venezuela Neighborhood and Integration Commission includes an intensive working session involving binational committees dedicated to a wide array of critical issues. These committees are addressing border affairs, consular and migratory matters, technical cooperation, education and culture, environment and health, commerce, industry and tourism, and security and defense.
The extensive agenda also contemplates bolstering commercial and tourism exchange to invigorate the economies in the shared border regions of both States. This focus on cross-border economic activity is designed to generate direct benefits for local populations and stimulate regional growth. Furthermore, the vital energy and hydrocarbons sector will be addressed to ensure regional energy stability. Discussions will encompass projects related to interconnectivity and joint supply, which are expected to foster national productivity and reduce reliance on external energy sources, thereby enhancing energy sovereignty.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry highlighted that this meeting is fundamental for promoting educational and cultural integration, serving to reinforce the common historical and cultural roots that strengthen current Latin American unity. Experts from both countries are also actively working to finalize industry and tourism agreements.
Ultimately, this crucial meeting unequivocally ratifies the robust political will of both presidents to advance along a path of mutual respect and the construction of a durable zone of peace, consolidating a strategic alliance that promotes regional integration and acts as a model for diplomatic engagement in Latin America.
The meeting’s closure is scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, with the official reading of the established commitments. This formal conclusion will encapsulate the agreements reached across the various working tables, providing a clear roadmap for future bilateral actions.
Author: Laura V. Mor
Source: Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
