"We are preparing everything to fulfill what we announced, to fulfill our word with President Gustavo Petro," said the Venezuelan President. | Photo: Presidential Press

Caracas, December 13 (RHC)-- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced that preparations are underway for the total opening of the border with Colombia on January 1st.  The Venezuelan leader said that as part of the progress in the regularization of relations with the neighboring country, "I can announce that we will be completely opening the border of all western Venezuela with Colombia for the passage of vehicles."

Furthermore, he emphasized that this measure is a "New Year's gift to the people Venezuela and Colombia."

"We are preparing everything to fulfill what we announced, to fulfill the promise made with President Gustavo Petro to open it on January 1st, starting the year 2023 so that these borders are functional," affirmed Maduro.

The Venezuelan president also pointed out that the first cycle of peace talks between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) ended on Monday, describing the talks as "successful."

"We have given all of our support from Venezuela.  We are very happy for the great progress achieved, towards what has been proposed in Colombia -- total peace.  We have always said that peace in Colombia is peace in Venezuela, it is peace in South America," reiterated President Maduro.