Caracas, October 21 (PL-RHC)-- The state of constitutional emergency decreed in August by the Venezuelan Government to fight smuggling and paramilitarism in six municipalities in Tachira (western Venezuela) has been extended after its publication in the Official Gazette.

On August 21st, President Nicolas Maduro informed the implementation of special security measures for 60 days, extensible for another 60 days, in the municipalities of Bolivar, Pedro Maria Urena, Junin, Independencia, Libertad and Rafael Urdaneta, in Tachira, and the closing of the border with Colombia, in order to eradicate crime in that area.

Under those measures, the relevant authorities can search houses, public stores and other facilities without warrant to prevent or stop crime.

They can also seize merchandise, whose transit and trade were restricted.

People's mobility is also limited; those who want to change houses in those regions, enter or leave the country must notify the authorities and wait for a permit to do so.

Besides, only public assemblies and peaceful demonstrations are allowed with due permit, which has to be requested 15 days in advance. And no one but security forces are allowed to carry weapons when on duty.

The President of the Republic may issue other measures he considers appropriate, but all of them must be implemented respecting strictly the physical integrity and other human rights of the people.

The Governor of Tachira, Jose Vielma, said recently that crime indicators in his state fell significantly after the closing of the border with Colombia and the implementation of the state of constitutional emergency that were decreed in the wake of a paramilitary attack against troops of the Bolivarian Army, and was later extended to four municipalities in Tachira and others belonging to Zulia and Apure states.