Caracas, September 22 (Xinhua-RHC) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has approved a national disarmament plan to lower crime rates and to promote citizen security.

Maduro highlighted the efforts of the government to improve security and welfare of the Venezuelan people when observing the International Day of Peace. "We are moving forward toward our goal, which is to achieve a safe and peaceful Venezuela, a fatherland where we can enjoy in peace," said the president.

Maduro said he had approved a 250-million bolivar (40-million-U.S. dollar) budget to reinforce special patrolling for 2014's last quarter.

Meanwhile, Maduro said his government is investigating allegations about a lethal virus in Maracay Central Hospital in Aragua state.

"Doctors from many parts of the world have arrived in Venezuela, including our beloved Cuba who sent experts in biological warfare, to find out what happened in Aragua," Maduro said.