On the border with Brazil, a Venezuelan indigenous people wants to allow the entry of humanitarian aid

The pemones of Venezuela, an indigenous people living on the border with Brazil, is determined to allow humanitarian aid to reach the country if it is sent near its territory, even if it involves a confrontation with the security forces of the dictator Nicolás Maduro.

In the midst of economic collapse and hyperinflation that has caused growing malnutrition in sectors of the population and the exodus of millions of Venezuelans, the humanitarian aid It has become another controversial subject in the country's political crisis.

The Leader of the Opposition Juan Guaidó Last week, he said that a global coalition including the United States was sending food and medicine to collection points in the United States. Colombia, Brazil and an island of ethe Caribbean before delivering them to Venezuela.

Brazil has joined the United States, as well as most of the countries of the Latin America and Europe, recognizing Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela.

Maduro, who even denies the existence of a humanitarian crisis, says that he will not allow this "broadcast" that he describes as part of a state-led plan. To undermine and overthrow his government.

Six leaders of the Pemón community living in commune Granch this border with Brazil told Reuters that the urgent needs of the population should overcome any politicization of humanitarian aid.

The Gran Sabana, a plain covered with grbad and huge mountains in the state of Bolívar, in the south of the country, has the only paved road between Venezuela and Brazil.

"We are physically ready, unarmed, to open the border to receive humanitarian aid," said the mayor of La Gran Sabana, Emilio González told Reuters. "This is not going to cripple the Guard or the government, we are ready to wait for help."

Indigenous communities enjoy greater autonomy than others in Venezuela.

The governor of Bolívar and the military chief of the Guayana region, which includes Bolívar and Amazonas, were not immediately available for comment.

WE ARE LEGITIMATE AUTHORITIES

"We are from Gran Sabana and we will not allow outside generals to decide for us, we are legitimate authorities and local government," said the councilor. Jorge Perez on behalf of the indigenous peoples of Gran Sabana.

Perez said that he goes to the local hospital every day where patients and doctors are desperate because of lack of medication.

"In case of emergency, they take us to Brazil, it 's a pity, the Boa Vista hospital is full of Venezuelan patients, enough," he said.

Boa Vista, capital of the Brazilian border of Roraima, has hosted tens of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing the crisis of recent years.

The Tepuy Roraima, which rises more than 2,800 meters along the border, is sacred ground for the Pemones and a spiritual symbol for many Venezuelans.

The Venezuelan opposition has so far publicly announced the arrival of humanitarian aid in the border town of Cucuta, Colombia, where it is stored as Venezuelan authorities have said they will not allow it.

Mayor Gonzalez said the Brazilian authorities have not yet informed him of the precise date of the arrival of the aid. A spokesman for the Brazilian government declined to comment on the case, but confirmed that ground transportation to Gran Sabana was possible.

Prepared for battle?

Indigenous leaders said they had already demonstrated their willingness to confront the Venezuelan army's military badistance after the troops blocked with metal barriers the road connecting the city of Santa Elena from Uairen and the border with Brazil.

The Pemón community, which has more than 10,000 members in Venezuela, has a history of skirmishing with the army on issues ranging from the lack of gasoline to informal mining.

The army is trying to capture a colonel, would he have unknown Maduro and would try to help coordinate the arrival of help.

The Pemons raised the barriers and clashed with the army until the troops agreed to withdraw, the Indians said.

"In case the humanitarian aid arrives and its pbadage is hampered, the revenues of the trucks would be suspended even if they belonged to the national government," said Ángel Páez, leader of the Pemón group of the Akurimo territory of Gran Sabana.

"If there is not for people, nor for the government, there will be"he added.

By María Ramírez / Reuters