President Nicolás Maduro proposed creating a second Binational Economic Zone with Colombia that would include the states of Apure (Venezuela) and Arauca (Colombia). This initiative, similar to the first zone established between Táchira and Zulia states (Venezuela), and North Santander and La Guajira (Colombia), seeks to promote investment in agri-food production, agro-industrial development, economic growth, social progress, and cultural cooperation.
In addition, President Maduro proposed a third Binational Zone encompassing Amazonas (Venezuela) and Guainía and Vichada (Colombia), with the goal of protecting biodiversity, eradicating illegal mining, creating jobs, promoting entrepreneurship, and contributing to environmental conservation: «There will be important announcements soon,» he announced.
The president reaffirmed the consolidation of the first binational agreement between Táchira-Zulia states and North Santander-La Guajira, emphasizing that these areas must become spaces for peace, commercial integration, multisectoral development, and political unity between the two countries. He also stressed the need to eradicate the influence of criminal groups, drug traffickers, paramilitaries, and hitmen in the region.