Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolás Maduro have expressed a joint desire to “bring back” cross-border travel, which has been subject to significant restrictions since 2019 due to the stalemate in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In a statement, Maduro noted that “we discussed the desire to return everything to normal on the borders and issues of peace and a prosperous future for the two peoples.” “On behalf of the Venezuelan people, I congratulate (Petro) on his victory” in Colombia’s presidential election, he added.

Petro, elected on Sunday as the first left-wing president in Colombia’s history, said during his election campaign that he wants to normalize relations between the two countries. He said he spoke “with the Venezuelan government to open the border and restore full enjoyment of human rights.” She did not provide further details of the conversation between the two presidents.

Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Colombia in 2019 after Maduro’s re-election, as Bogotá considered it a fraud. Colombia’s outgoing conservative president, Ivan Duque, has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president.