Although the presidents of Colombia and Venezuela agreed to take relations between both countries back to normal after the Rio Summit, the Venezuelan Exporters' Association (AVEX) reported that local authorities are preventing exports to Colombia.

Exports to Colombia have been frozen since last March 4, when the Ministry of Light Industries and Trade (Milco) issued a ban, amidst a diplomatic conflict that involved both countries and Ecuador.

"We are deeply concerned about this because at the (air, sea and land) customs there are around 4,000 tons of Venezuelan products valued at USD 42 million that can not be exported," said Francisco Mendoza, AVEX chair.

Mendoza said he does not understand why the government, which has allowed imports from Colombia to be resumed, has not cleared Venezuelan exports to Colombia, which include razor blades, auto parts, plastics, and glass.