Venezuela: incidents at the border with Colombia for humanitarian aid

The Venezuelan army repressed this Saturday with tear gas and rubber bullets to dozens of people who asked to pbad through Colombia by a border bridge of Ureña (Táchira, West), whose closure had been ordered by the government of Nicolás Maduro to avoid entry humanitarian aid sent by the United States.

"We want to work!"Cried the crowd in front of the National Guard troops with riot gear blocking the Francisco de Paula Santander Bridge.

The government of Nicolás Maduro ordered Friday evening to "total closure" of the four bridges that they communicate with the state of Táchira with the Colombian department of Norte de Santander, where is the city of Cúcuta, rescue collection center sent by the United States at the request of the self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaidó, recognized as such by the United States and some 50 countries

Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez justified this measure by what she defined as "threats" from the Colombian government, which supports the aid process managed by Guaidó, head of the opposition parliament recognized as interim president of Venezuela by about fifty countries.

Guaidó has set this Saturday the day of food badistance and medicines pbadage "yes or yes" despite Maduro's refusal, which considers this an "excuse" for a US-led military invasion.

Ureña's neighbors have asked the army for permission to cross the crosswalk, as they do every day. After moments of stress, the military picket advanced and started firing tear gas, which some responded with stones.

Some too burnt tires, after the military troops deployed a vehicle to prevent the pbadage.

"I have to do my eight hours of work, what if I do not come, my family depends on me," said Unay Velasco, a 24-year-old, at the AFP news agency before the riots. Cleaning services in a supermarket in Cucuta.

About 40,000 Venezuelans daily cross the borders of Tahrir, according to immigration authorities. Most return to their country after working or buying drugs or rare products in their country.

Venezuela is going through a serious economic crisis, with a minimum wage barely equal to US $ 6, which has forced about 2.7 million people to emigrate since 2015, according to the UN.