Escalation of tension in Venezuela: Nicolás Maduro has closed the main border crossings between Venezuela and Colombia

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the closure of three bridges connecting the state of Táchira to Colombia, the main crossing points between the two countries, "because of the serious and illegal threats made by the Colombian government against the peace and Venezuela, "said Vice President Delcy Rodríguez last night.

These are the bridges that connect San Antonio and Ureña to the Colombian Cúcuta and the one that allows to go from Boca de Grita to Puerto Santander. That's precisely what the president in charge, Juan Guaidó, ran into with his team in a video that went around the world, clearly defying the power of Nicolás Maduro. The Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) has banned the departure of the country, in addition to the embargo on their accounts, against the Speaker of Parliament.

"We demand that Ivan Duque put an end to his infamous actions and stop helping the Colombian territory to try, by order of Donald Trump, to fight against the right of Venezuelans to live in peace and sovereignty." protested the former foreign minister.

This momentary closure coincides with the total closure of the border with Colombia and the Netherlands Antilles. The order of the Miraflores Palace arrives only a few hours before the start of the day of the challenge of the opposition against the revolution. This 23-F is programmed "humanitarian avalanche" which allows to introduce to Venezuela tons of aid collected in Cúcuta, in particular, as well as at the border of Brazil and on the Curaçao Island.

"As planned, deny the right to humanitarian aid," replied Rocío San Miguel, president of the NGO Control Ciudadano.

Among the thousands of volunteers prepared for the operation are many spectators who attended Venezuela Aid Live and who camped nearby. A mega concert that served to inspire them. "We feel the fraternity of a society in reconstruction, after twenty years of revolution.There was a very special moment when one of the artists asked the audience to kiss the one who was next. And that's what happened: everyone kissed their eyes full of tears, "said Venezuelan émigré Gustavo Contreras, 31, for LA NACION, including two in Cúcuta.

GS