CARACAS, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuelan military officers blocked a
bridge on the border with Colombia ahead of an anticipated humanitarian aid shipment, as opposition leader Juan Guaido stepped up his challenge
to President Nicolas Maduro’s authority.
The opposition-dominated National Assembly had earlier warned the armed forces, which make up much of Maduro’s power base, not to cross a “red line” by blocking aid.
Guaido, who proclaimed himself acting president on Jan 23 — sparking
an international crisis — claims that up to 300,000 people face death if the
aid is not delivered.
“You know there’s a red line, you know well there’s a limit, you know that
medicines, food and medical supplies are that limit,” lawmaker Miguel Pizarro said in a message to the military.
Maduro, though, said humanitarian aid would be the forerunner of a US-led
invasion, insisting that “nothing will enter, not one invading soldier.”
Venezuelan military officers used a tanker truck and huge shipping
container to block access to the Tienditas bridge, which links Cucuta,
Colombia to Urena, Venezuela.
The aid delivery was being coordinated by Guaido, who has declared himself interim president of the oil-rich country and now enjoys the backing of some 40 countries as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.
Maduro, 56, has repeatedly accused the United States of fomenting a coup.
The US, which has not ruled out a military intervention in crisis-wracked
Venezuela, was the first to recognize him as acting president, followed by a
dozen Latin American countries.
Britain, France, Germany and Spain were among 20 EU nations to side with
Guaido this week after Maduro ignored their demands that he announce new presidential elections by Feb 3
Guaido is trying to force Maduro from power, set up a transitional
government and hold a new presidential poll.
But key Maduro ally Russia slammed what it called interference in the oil-
rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to
“legitimize usurped power.”
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the EU of trying to “topple the government by violence and ruse,” while berating the US for treating Venezuela like “one of your states.”
Guaido, 35, claims his legitimacy from the constitution and has been
ramping up pressure on Maduro by calling his supporters out into the streets.
The next mass demonstration is due for Feb 12.
Guaido knows he needs the armed forces on his side to dislodge Maduro. He
was boosted on Saturday by the defection of a top air force general.
His fledgling alternative administration will hold talks in Washington
Feb 14 on responding to “the largest hemispheric humanitarian crisis in
modern history.”
Maduro, though, remains steadfast.
“Venezuela doesn’t have to beg to anyone,” he said. “If they want to help,
then end the blockade and the sanctions.”
Maduro has flatly rejected demands for new elections, telling Spanish
television he would not “cave in to pressure.”
He has supported plans for a meeting of Latin American and EU states in a
“Contact Group” in Montevideo on Thursday, though.
The United Nations said 40 people were killed in clashes with security
forces in a week of protests last month, coinciding with Guaido’s self-
proclamation as acting leader. Local NGO Foro Penal said almost 1,000 people were detained between Jan 21 and 31. — NNN-AGENCIES
