Caracas, September 16 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced Tuesday the state of exception already implemented in various border points to control criminality fueled by Colombian paramilitaries will be extended into 10 municipalities in the country’s border region with Colombia under the country’s new peacekeeping mission.     

Seven municipalities in the northeastern state of Zulia and three others in the southeastern state of Apure will be added to other border regions currently under state of exception in Venezuela, according to Maduro. 

“I’ve decided to activate the state of exception in the municipalities of Jesus Enrique Lossada, Rosario de Perija, Machique de Perija and Cañada de Urdaneta,” located in zone four of the state of Zulia, Maduro said.        

The municipalities of Jesus Maria Semprun, Paez, Catatumbo, Colon, Romulo Gallegos and Pedro Camejo are also among those now under the state of exception.      

The newly activated zones will be the first under Venezuela’s new peacekeeping initiative called “Mission New Border of Peace,” created in order to guarantee security in the border area with Colombia.        

“The border belongs to the people, not to criminal groups, assassins and smugglers,” the Venezuelan head of state said to reiterate the need for the peacekeeping mission.      

Maduro also announced three days have been organized for Colombians residing in Venezuela to register and collaborate in working toward peace and stability in the country.

The events will take place as soon as Saturday, September 19 in the border states with Colombia and hope to fortify a politics of brotherhood with Colombians, according to Maduro. 

The Venezuelan government first decreed on August 21st a state of exception in the six municipalities of the Tachira state, located on the border with Colombia. The measure came after the government detected Colombian paramilitary activity at the border, where Venezuelan soldiers were attacked and three of them injured.