Smuggling and social anomie on the border between Colombia and Venezuela

Abstract

This study analyzed the relationship between the perception of an environment of illegality and people’s non-normative behavior (anomie) regarding the crime of smuggling in the Department of Norte de Santander (Colombia) and in the State of Táchira (Venezuela). Data collected during the first half of 2022 from two population samples were analyzed: n = 2 385 persons in the Department of Norte de Santander and n = 1 398 persons in the State of Táchira. A hypothesis test was used, with the independent variables being the respondents’ age groups and educational level (heads of household between 18 and 69 years old). The results show the existence of smuggling as a practice socially accepted by many citizens even though it is a crime, which is increased by the deterioration of commercial exchange between Venezuela and Colombia, the unilateral closing of border crossings, and therefore the deterioration of the quality of life of citizens.