In August 2015, escalating tension along the border between Colombia and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has led to border closures and massive population movement (deportations and voluntary repatriation) into Colombia. The current population movement is rooted in a wide range of factors that include the distinct politico-economic projects in both countries, the impacts of the decades-long Colombian armed conflict, the smuggling of subsidized goods into Colombia and of scarce products into Venezuela. The normal levels of active transit between both countries and has affected Colombian citizens who have established their life projects in the neighbouring country.
Within the context of curtailing illicit activities on the border, on 19 August in the Venezuelan state of Táchira, a confrontation took place between the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and a group of people whose livelihoods are allegedly based on contraband products, which left three members of the Venezuelan security forces and a civilian seriously wounded. The Venezuelan government initially closed the border at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge, and on 21 August, extended this closure via a declaration of a 60-day state of emergency for five municipalities in Táchira (Bolívar, Ureña, Junín, Capacho Libertad and Capacho Independencia). On 28 August, the border closing was extended to four other municipalities (Lobatera, Ayacucho, García de Hevia and Panamericano) in Táchira. On 7 September, the Venezuelan government closed another border crossing in Paraguachon in the Venezuelan state of Zulia, which beyond heavy cargo traffic is also territory of the Wayuu indigenous people.