Colombia – The permeable border
Arauca is one of the most isolated regions of Colombia. It is the place that per capita has received most migrants from Venezuela.
These Venezuelan Bolivares have no value anymore, due to the highest inflation rate of any country wordwide.
The Arauca river, about 100 meters wide, is the border line and a lifeline between Colombia and Venezuela .
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Its a physically exhausting task.
Both sides dont expect much from anyone even less politicians. Its all about making it to the next day.
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The Colombian armada has the impossible job to refrain illegal migration and contraband on the river.
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Its an impossible task, this officer said.
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I met him in Brisas del Agua
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Every day a week, the paleros dive to the ground of the river and dig sand with their metal plates.
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The official border crossing in the Colombian Arauca region with Venezuela is the José Antonio Páez bridge. This young Venezuelan earns his living by helping border crossers carry their luggage across the border.
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Venezuelans migrants in Colombia dont receive any state subsidies. This Venezuelan family is medically attended by a NGO.
