Tension in Venezuela: a dead woman and a concert duel before D-Day

CÚCUTA, Colombia.- The conflict of powers in

Venezuela

is approaching a possible turning point, with rival recitals organized by both sides on the border with Colombia on the eve of D-Day, during which the opposition led by the president in charge,

Juan Guaidó

will seek to bring humanitarian aid to the country despite the government's refusal and blockages

Nicolás Maduro

.

The musical performances will take place today at both ends of a 300-meter bridge linking Venezuela and Colombia to the west, one of the corridors that Guaidó intends to use to transport tons of food and drink. drugs in the country, hit by a serious economic and humanitarian crisis. .

Although it has never been opened, the bridge, called Las Tienditas, is blocked by cargo containers left by the Venezuelan army after Maduro denounced the fact that the initiative help conceals a military invasion plan of Venezuela led by the US President's government. ,

Donald Trump

.

A death

An Aboriginal woman died and 15 others were injured today in a clash with the military in the town of Kumarakupay, in Gran Sabana, in southern Venezuela and near the border with Brazil, while They were trying to defend the entry of international humanitarian aid.

The aboriginal councilor of the Municipality of Gran Sabana, Jorge Pérez, confirmed the death of the woman, identified as Zoraida Rodríguez, of the indigenous Pemón ethnic group. "He was at home, with his children, when he was killed by a stray bullet shot by the GNB," he added.

"Brutal repression in the Gran Sabana, between the Pemón Indians and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB)." Three of the wounded have just arrived at the Comprehensive Help Center (CDI) in Santa Elena De Uairén. Humanitarian aid between and the usurper falls together. to his accomplices ", denounced by Twitter, Américo De Grazia, deputy of the National Assembly (AN), to the majority of the opposition

For her part, parliamentarian Tamara Suju said that "the Pemons detained three members of the army and isolated them so that the Minister of Defense [Vladimir Padrino López] I'll go get them. "Padrino López, you who give it to you like a braggart, go ahead," he challenged.

Concert duel

The antichavista concert, organized by the British billionaire Richard Branson and called Venezuela Aid Live, will be held in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, in order to ask Maduro to grant his help and to collect 100 million dollars in donations for the Venezuelan people.

More than 30 great Hispanic stars, such as Alejandro Sanz and Ricardo Montaner, will sing at the concert (which will begin at noon in Argentina), which will also include the Presidents of Colombia (

Iván Duque

), Chile (

Sebastián Piñera

) and Paraguay (Mario Abdo Benítez).

"Thank you for coming today, it's amazing to see so many people coming here.We have to help those who do not have drugs and thankfully, with this concert, we can start helping to end the suffering, "said Branson at a press conference.

The Maduro government has not specified who would participate in the concert that will take place on the Venezuelan side of the bridge, called Hands Off Venezuela, which will last three days.

"All artists who will sing in Colombia must know that they are committing a crime, they support a foreign military intervention," Maduro said.

Yesterday, the president ordered the closure of the border between Venezuela and Brazil – another border where anti-Chavism wants to get in – and said that he had also badessed the closing of the border with Colombia.

For its part, Guaidó went yesterday in the border zone with Colombia – although in secret caravans – to personally collect aid, which was sent by the United States and stored on the Colombian side from the border.

The young leader, aged 35, swore a month ago as president in charge of Venezuela with the support of Parliament after the legislature, called National Assembly (AN) and controlled by the anti-Chavez, Ignored the legality of Maduro's reelection of the year. past and declared him "usurper" of the presidency.

Over time, more than 50 countries, including Argentina, have recognized him as Venezuela's legitimate president, to the detriment of Maduro.

Guaidó, president of the AN, asks Maduro to leave power to form a transitional government and hold elections.

Maria Teresa Belandria, appointed by Guaidó as ambbadador to Brazil, said that 100 tons of food and medicine were waiting to be trucked to the northern city of Pacaraima, on the Venezuelan border. .

Maduro, backed by Russia, China and dozens of other countries, yesterday announced the arrival of an additional 7.5 tons of medicines and medical supplies from Russia.

Guaidó, who warns that 300,000 people could die if they do not get help, wants to mobilize a million volunteers to start admitting help tomorrow. Beyond the borders with Colombia and Brazil, the Caribbean island of Curacao (which announced today that it would not send any help to Venezuela without the permission of Caracas) and the ports of Puerto Cabello and La Guaira.

The opposition said teams of volunteers would be deployed to channel aid through border states of Colombia, Brazil and Falcón, in the north of the country, across from Curacao.

AFP, AP, ANSA and Reuters agencies