President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and his Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, have agreed to gradually reopen their common border. Venezuela closed the border a month ago and launched a major anti-smuggling operation. Some 20,000 Colombians have left Venezuela since the crisis began. "Common sense, dialogue and peace between our peoples and our countries have triumphed today," said Mr Maduro after the talks in Quito. Most crossings were closed and some 3,000 Venezuelan troops have been deployed along the border since Mr Maduro launched a major anti-smuggling operation 19 August. Mr Maduro says smuggling has led to shortages in the west of Venezuela and other parts of the country.