Colombia to temporarily close Venezuela border for presidential election runoff

Colombia is set to temporarily close its border with Venezuela to ensure the security and integrity of the upcoming presidential election runoff. The Consulate of Colombia in San Antonio del Táchira announced the measure, which will be in effect from Saturday, June 20, at 7:00 PM (Venezuelan time) until Monday, June 22, at 7:00 AM.

This border closure is part of Colombia's "Plan Democracia," a government initiative designed to bolster security during electoral processes. The plan involves enhanced controls at border crossings, increased surveillance, and temporary restrictions on movement to prevent any disruptions to the vote.

The presidential runoff is scheduled for Sunday, June 21. This second round follows a May 31 first round where no candidate secured the necessary majority. Official results from the National Civil Status Registry show a tight race between Abelardo De la Espriella, who garnered 10,361,499 votes (43.74%), and Iván Cepeda, with 9,688,361 votes (40.90%).

Colombian consular authorities are urging citizens to make necessary arrangements in light of the temporary restriction and to stay informed through official channels during the electoral period.