President Nicolás Maduro reiterates Venezuela’s proposal for a binational zone of peace and economic development with Colombia, emphasizing joint efforts to combat drug trafficking and promote Chinese investment along the border.

Related:

Venezuela’s Crude Oil Production: Overcoming Obstacles to Build New Energy Alliances

In a renewed call for cooperation, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros urged the Colombian government to join forces in establishing a binational zone dedicated to peaceful economic development.

This initiative aims to tackle the persistent challenges of drug trafficking, terrorism, and violence plaguing the extensive 2,200-kilometer border shared by the two nations. President Maduro highlighted Venezuela’s success in reclaiming control over its border region, attributing this achievement to the Bolivarian Revolution’s commitment to sovereignty and social justice.

President Maduro underscored that the proposed binational zone is not only a security measure but also an economic project designed to foster development and stability. By creating shared economic opportunities, the initiative seeks to undermine illicit activities that have long destabilized the region.

Venezuelan leader also emphasized the role of Chinese investment as a vital component in realizing this vision, referencing the growing ties between Venezuela, Colombia, and China as part of broader efforts within the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)-China cooperation framework.

#ENVIDEO | Caminando Con Freddy Bernal
Acompáñanos a descubrir, en Caminando con el Gobernador y candidato a la reelección en el Estado Táchira, Freddy Bernal, la propuesta de una Zona Económica Binacional de Frontera pic.twitter.com/gSoVBJz2PQ

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) May 22, 2025

The text reads: #ENVIDEO | Walking with Freddy Bernal
Join us to discover, in Walking with the Governor and candidate for re-election in the State of Táchira, Freddy Bernal, the proposal for a Binational Economic Border Zone.

Recalling the long-standing tensions between Colombian elites and the Bolivarian ideal, President Maduro framed the proposal as a continuation of the revolutionary legacy championed by Commander Hugo Chávez. He stressed that the oligarchic forces opposing integration have historically resisted efforts to unite the peoples of the region.

Nonetheless, Venezuela’s strides in securing its border demonstrate the potential for peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity when guided by principles of sovereignty, solidarity, and democratic participation.

President Maduro reaffirmed Venezuela’s readiness to advance democratically in consolidating peace and development along the border. He revealed that recent operations against drug trafficking and terrorist groups have yielded significant evidence, illustrating the ongoing threats faced by Venezuela.

The president’s call to Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro to establish the binational economic zone aligns with Petro’s recent diplomatic engagements in Beijing and Colombia’s integration into the Silk Road initiative. This cooperation signals a promising path toward a comprehensive productive union, fostering regional stability and shared prosperity.

Venezuela’s proposal for a binational zone of peace and economic development represents a strategic and visionary approach to overcoming border challenges. Rooted in the Bolivarian Revolution’s ideals, it seeks to transform a historically troubled region into a space of collaboration, economic growth, and security, with the support of international partners like China.

IN THIS ARTICLE