Venezuelan crisis: the army "blocks the corridor of aid"

Venezuelan soldiers have blocked a bridge at the Colombian border before sending humanitarian aid, the opposition said.

The help is being organized by opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who declared himself acting president last month.

But the way in which help will be distributed is not clear. President Nicolás Maduro, who has the support of the army, refused to let him enter the country.

Venezuela is in the grip of an increasingly serious humanitarian crisis.

Guaidó is the head of the National Assembly of Venezuela and declares that the constitution allows him to badume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate.

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It has gained the support of more than 40 countries, including the United States and most of the countries of Latin America and Europe. Mr. Maduro still has the support of China and Russia.

What is happening at the border?

Military officers used a tanker truck and container to block access to the Tienditas Bridge, which connects Cucuta (Colombia) to Urena (Venezuela), AFP member Franklyn Duarte told AFP. # 39; opposition.

"Troops of the armed forces are blocking the pbadage," he said.

Other opposition leaders have called on the army to allow the trucks of humanitarian aid to cross the border.

"You know that there is a red line, you know well that there is a limit, you know that drugs, food and medical supplies are this limit," said legislator Miguel Pizarro .

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Shared photos on social networks appeared to show residents confronted with army officers in Urena.

Mr Maduro said that humanitarian aid would mark the beginning of an invasion led by the United States, insisting that "no one will enter, not an invading soldier".

How will the help plan work?

Since Mr. Guaidó did not control any territory in Venezuela, he planned to set up collection centers in neighboring countries where Venezuelans had taken refuge.

He said that he wanted to create an international coalition to collect help in three points, and press the Venezuelan army to let him enter the country.

In a tweet Sunday, US National Security Advisor John Bolton said plans were underway.

At the same time, US President Donald Trump said in an interview that the use of military force remained "an option".

In his speech on the state of the Union, he reiterated his support for Mr. Guaidó stating: "We support the Venezuelan people in its noble pursuit of freedom".