Venezuelan Army Blocks Bridge On Border With Colombia

Venezuelan military officers blocked a bridge on the border with Colombia ahead of an anticipated humanitarian aid shipment Tuesday as opposition leader Juan Guaido stepped up his challenge to President Nicolas Maduro’s authority, reported France 24 channel on Wednesday.

A tanker and shipping container are seen blocking the Tienditas Bridge on the border between Colombia and Venezuela

The opposition-dominated National Assembly had 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 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 the city of Urena to Cucuta, Colombia.