Incidents at the border between Venezuela and Colombia

The first incidents on the border between Venezuela and Colombia have already occurred since early morning. The Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) is conducting clashes with the population in some areas, while the first defections of the body have already been confirmed.

Three National Guard soldiers, mounted in two tanks, removed the barriers that blocked access to Colombia by the Simón Bolívar bridge, very close to that of Tienditas. Subsequently, the agents left the body of Venezuela and asked for help from Colombian forces. Some local media reports that more defections would occur at the Colombian border. Thousands of people have celebrated on the bridge singing the national anthem of Venezuela.

On the other border bridges with Colombia, the situation is also tense. On the Francisco de Paula Santander bridge, a few kilometers north of Tienditas, the National Guard holds the population with tear gas from the first hour of the morning.

Security forces are trying to eliminate the barricades mounted by the opposition and several clashes are taking place both on the bridge and in the border town of Ureña. Many volunteers are trying to enter Colombia to help with humanitarian aid, but many Venezuelans work in Colombia and cross the border every day to get to work.

On the other hand, the Tienditas Bridge is in full swing after thousands of people spent the night there after the Venezuela Live Aid Solidarity Concert, which featured the performances of 32 artists from around the world and who saw 250 000 people.

At this stage, nearly 600 tons of aid are expected to enter an operation led by Juan Guaidó, Venezuela's interim president recognized by more than 50 countries. Guaidó will hold a press conference on Colombian territory this morning with the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque.