President Nicolas Maduro waves the Venezuelan flag at a police ceremony in Caracas, July 16, 2024. Photo: X/ @ElioEstrada18

Caracas, July 16 (RHC)-- In Caracas on Tuesday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asked police officers for their best efforts to protect citizens before and after the electoral process that will culminate on July 28th.

“Maximum morale, maximum discipline, and maximum organization. The police must be the backbone of peace,” he said during the graduation, promotion, and decoration ceremony of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) held in Caracas.

“In their desperation, the far-right wants to incite a tragedy. bWe cannot allow it! In Venezuela, there must be peace before, during, and after July 28,” he stressed.   “We have followed the right path in terms of public safety… Venezuela must continue to train the best police force of all time,” he said, summarizing an evaluation of the policies implemented in recent years.

The Venezuelan president also promised to work to improve the income and social security of all officers and members of the police.

Regarding the fight against criminal organizations, Maduro highlighted that authorities are working to eliminate the remnants of “The Aragua Train,” a transnational gang whose main structures were dismantled with police intervention at their headquarters —the Tocoron prison— in September 2023.

Maduro also assured that the relentless fight against criminal gangs has led to the pacification of cities and towns, making Venezuela a “world example” in terms of public safety.

“Great, blessed, and miraculous times are coming for the people, the police, and Venezuelan security and peace,” he pointed out.

On Tuesday, Interior Minister Remigio Ceballos confirmed that Venezuela has requested the extradition of about 30 criminals who are imprisoned in various nations. He also mentioned that authorities have dismantled about 356 criminal gangs in recent years.

“Either the criminal gangs leave the country, or they will be neutralized,” said the Bolivarian leader last Friday when he reaffirmed that Venezuela seeks to become the Latin American country with the best levels of public safety.