The decision of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez to exert economic pressure on Colombia to force his Colombian counterpart Álvaro Uribe to offer apologies for the capture in Caracas of a guerrilla leader has caused trade-related troubles, deficit and a hike in gasoline prices on the border, according to local businessmen.

"Since late last week, customs clearances have been delayed, as well as loading and unloading of trucks on the border," said Monday Jaime Sorzano, head of Colfecar, the Colombian Confederation of Cargo Carriers, as stated by AP.

Sorzano added that the Venezuelan government prohibited the passage of trucks from  Cúcuta to Arauca, that use Venezuelan roads to elude Colombian ways haunted by the guerrilla.

"These trucks carry 1,000 tons daily. In addition to 450 vehicles that carry 9,000 tons, they have to face customs troubles," said the transportation leader during an interview with Caracol radio.

"Failure to grant consular permits; obstruction to exchange; harassment to trucks; slow proceedings on the border; closure last week of Cadivi office. All of these steps made by Venezuela contravene the agreements of the Andean Community, the G-3 (the Group of Three including Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela) and free-trade rules and regulations," said Colombian Finance Minister Juan Camilo Restrepo.

Restrepo added that Chávez' announcement to suspend the mega-project on the layout of a gas pipeline from La Guajira to Maracaibo "is a boast that will endanger Venezuelan themselves."