Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello a press statement in Caracas on Monday, August 25, 2025. Photo: Venezuela's Interior Ministry.
On Monday, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the activation of Peace Zone No. 1 between the states of Táchira and Zulia, bordering Colombia, with the deployment of 15,000 reinforcements from the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB).
During a press conference, he presented a briefing on the investigations regarding the seizure of war weapons and explosives used for destabilization, highlighting the deployment of security agencies in the territory to guarantee peace in Venezuela amid the recent escalation of US military threats.
“Our president has decided to immediately activate Peace Zone No. 1, which includes the states of Táchira and Zulia. He has ordered a major operational reinforcement of what already exists there, because we have been operating for quite some time, with deployment of the URRA (Rapid Combat Reaction Units) and specific military and police operations,” he stated.
The minister explained that in the first phase, President Nicolás Maduro ordered the deployment of 15,000 men and women on the Venezuelan side, in addition to those already there, up to the border of Táchira state.
Cabello added that zones two and three will follow, stating that the deployment has already begun. “This special reinforcement includes resources, troops, aviation, riverine deployment, and drones to protect our border—15,000 troops will be deployed,” he asserted.
He highlighted the Colombian government’s cooperation and urged them to do the same on their side of the border to ensure peace along the entire axis and remove anyone who might commit crimes in an area plagued with drug trafficking gangs.
President Maduro Hails Militia Enlistment Success as Venezuelans Join Massively Amid US Aggression
“Anyone who has relations with criminals, with criminal gangs, should assume their responsibility, and we will assume ours. If our people can be certain of anything, it is that we will make every effort in that area. They will also have 15,000 troops and the full support of the police forces… This is a joint effort, a team effort. I assure you that there are operations currently. We are destroying camps in some areas, which those who, unfortunately, come from the Colombian side are trying to establish,” he warned.
Minister Cabello also added that on the Venezuelan side, the people are a fundamental part of the military and police alliance for the country’s defense, remaining alert to any possibility to inform the authorities.
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SF
