Venezuela to Meet Colombia's Foreign Ministry On Security

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro announced Wednesday that he will coordinate a meeting between Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and Colombia's Foreign Ministry, in order to reinforce the security of both countries.

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During the opening session of Venezuela's Supreme Court for 2018, Maduro said he received a letter from his Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, welcoming the move as a bid to strengthen security on the border areas.

"Between Colombia and Venezuela, there is a historical destiny, being brothers, sharing the future and never ever sharing the war," he said.

Maduro will give further details on Thursday of a plan meant to benefit to Colombian citizens living in Venezuela.

He also thanked the magistrates for their work, especially Attorney General Tarek William Saab and Court President Maikel Moreno for their fight against corruption.

Maduro later confirmed that the presidential elections will take place on April 22, as agreed with opposition sectors during the talks carried out in the Dominican Republic.

"In Venezuela, there won't be a coup d'etat; we'll have free elections instead," he said, encouraging the youth and unregistered voters to enlist on the electoral register before Feb. 20.

Maduro also requested Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza open the embassy in Miami so that Venezuelan citizens located in the U.S. city can register and vote.