The head of state reiterated the call for Venezuelan migrants to return to the country, so "together we put our shoulders to the wheel and move forward". | Photo: Presidential Press

Caracas, October 15 (RHC)-- The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, rejected Thursday the actions of hatred and xenophobia that have been experienced by Venezuelan migrants who are in Colombia.

The head of state repudiated the murder of more than 1,800 Venezuelan migrants in the neighboring country, as well as the forced disappearance of more than 800 compatriots.  "These figures are the product of xenophobia and hatred promoted by Iván Duque," he denounced when referring to his Colombian counterpart.

In addition, he recalled that more than 6 million Colombians live in Venezuela and far from being rejected, from the national government, "we have always urged union towards the brothers from other latitudes who live" in the South American nation.

"I extend my hands to all Venezuelans.   Venezuelans: come to your homeland.  Here no one is going to persecute you or insult you.  Here we are going to give you an embrace of love.  And we can work together and go forward," he said.

The President regretted that in "the last years of the economic war, a group of Venezuelan men and women have gone to try their luck in the world and what they have found: persecution and death.  In Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia."

On the other hand, the Venezuelan president highlighted the work of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) in guaranteeing the security of the Venezuelan people, emphasizing that it is the "heir of historical glories and today we remember our military doctrine, written by our Commander Hugo Chávez."

Likewise, he reiterated the success of the national electoral drill of October 10 and the work carried out by the members of the Plan República in safeguarding the process, in view of the regional and municipal elections of November 21st.