• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home World

Venezuelan army moves to block aid shipments, sparking US anger

7 February 2019, 6:45 AM  |
AFP AFP |  @SABCNews
Venezuelan Army

Soldiers blocked a key border bridge, sparking angry demands from the United States to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to enter the country.

Venezuelan Army

Image: Reuters

Soldiers blocked a key border bridge, sparking angry demands from the United States to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to enter the country.

Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido warned the army of its responsibilities on Wednesday after soldiers blocked a key border bridge, sparking angry demands from the United States to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to enter the country.

Venezuela’s army had to choose between “a dictatorship that does not have an iota of humanity, or to side with the constitution” from which he takes his legitimacy, Guaido said in an interview on Colombian radio.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Venezuela’s military was deliberately blocking the aid with trucks and shipping containers “under Maduro’s orders.”

“The Maduro regime must LET THE AID REACH THE STARVING PEOPLE,” Pompeo said in a tweet.

Guaido claims that up to 300 000 people face death if the aid is not delivered, following years of economic crisis and shortages of basic food and medicines.

Tanker trucks and shipping containers were moved into position late Tuesday on the Tienditas bridge, a key crossing point on the border with Colombia.

The 35-year-old National Assembly chief who stunned Venezuelans when he proclaimed himself president on January 23 is trying to force Maduro from power, set up a transitional government and hold a new presidential polls.

He has claimed legitimacy from the constitution as National Assembly leader, on the grounds that Maduro’s re-election last May, boycotted by most of the opposition, was “illegitimate.”

Venezuela’s powerful military which despite a few defections has remained loyal to Maduro is seen as key to the outcome of the socialist leader’s power struggle with his young rival.

In a bid to tip the balance, the US said it was prepared to exempt Caracas’ army top brass from punitive sanctions if they recognized Guaido.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Washington “will consider sanctions off-ramps for any Venezuelan senior military officer that stands for democracy and recognizes the constitutional government of President Juan Guaido.”

“If not, the international financial circle will be closed off completely,” Bolton said on Twitter, urging the officers to “make the right choice.”

Guaido has been recognized by more than 40 countries since declaring himself interim president on January 23.

However, several countries including Italy and Greece have so far blocked an EU bid for tougher action against Maduro’s socialist regime.

Guaido held talks with EU representatives in Caracas earlier Wednesday “to consolidate their support for the democratic transition” adding that he would send a delegation to holdout state Italy to present his “action plan to relaunch democracy.”

Maduro disclosed Monday that he sent Pope Francis a letter seeking help in mediating the country’s crisis. The pope told journalists Tuesday that this would require agreement from both the government and the opposition.

Guaido backed the idea on Wednesday, saying the Argentine pope could bring his “great moral authority” to bear on Maduro to convince him to leave power.

Maduro, who is supported by Russia, China, Turkey, Cuba and Iran, has refused all humanitarian aid shipments to Venezuela, which he says would open the way to allow a US military invasion.

Maduro dismissed the need for aid on Wednesday as a “political show.”

Share article
Tags: USVenezuelaJuan Guaido
Previous Post

Hoërskool Driehoek to reopen on Monday

Next Post

Ozzy Osbourne hospitalized with “complications from the flu”

Related Posts

Five former Memphis police officers were charged on Thursday (January 26) with murder in the death of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died three days after a traffic stop, prosecutors said.

United States awaits release of Tyre Nichols’ video

27 January 2023, 9:11 PM
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

UN chief says social media, advertisers ‘complicit’ in fueling hate

27 January 2023, 8:46 PM
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor co-chairing the 15th South Africa–European Union Ministerial Political Dialogue with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, Mr. Josep Borrell.

EU pledges its support for South Africa’s transition to greener, cleaner energy

27 January 2023, 5:13 PM
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends a media briefing in Budapest, Hungary, December 21, 2022.

Hungary will veto EU sanctions on Russian on nuclear energy: PM Orban

27 January 2023, 10:12 AM
Advocate Mojankunyane Gumbi  is currently the Chancellor of the University of Venda

Venda University VC named UN special adviser on racism in workplace

26 January 2023, 10:16 PM
Missiles traces are seen in a sky, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Donbas region, Ukraine January 25, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak

Russia unleashes missiles at Ukraine after Kyiv secures tanks

26 January 2023, 5:35 PM
Next Post
Ozzy-Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne hospitalized with "complications from the flu"

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Northern Cape’s Kakamas to be exempted from blackouts
  • Scorcher predicted in Northern Cape for two weeks
  • Chances of reaching Stage 8 blackouts are receding: Eskom
  • Residents shut down Komani over power woes
  • Eswatini human rights lawyer gunned down in the presence of his family
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • Babes Wodumo breaks her silence at Mampintsha’s funeral
  • LIVE: City of Joburg Council elects new mayor
  • VIDEO | Government has no concrete plan to deal with load shedding: Malema
  • KZN farmer fined R1.5 million for unauthorised water use
  • Al Jamah’s Thapelo Amad touted to be Joburg’s new mayor
  • Mahlengi Bhengu replaces Pule Mabe as ANC chief spokesperson

LATEST

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula addressing the media in Nasrec, December 2022.
  • Politics

Ramaphosa to announce an energy emergency package


[File photo] A teacher of sign language says "I love you" with her hands.
  • South Africa

Schools could add sign language to curriculum: Justice Dept


[File photo] A worker harvests grapes at the Domaine Pinson vineyard in Chablis, France, September 21, 2021.
  • Business

Grape farmers face more challenges amid rolling blackouts


More than 14 000 athletes at the start of the 2022 Comrades Marathon.
  • Sport

Registration for 2023 Comrades Marathon open


[File photo] ANC flag seen at an event.
  • Politics

Mahlengi Bhengu replaces Pule Mabe as ANC chief spokesperson


File image: EFF leader Julius Malema.
  • Politics

Malema calls on South Africans to reject Just Energy Transition


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Hoërskool Driehoek. Hoërskool Driehoek to reopen on Monday
Next Ozzy-Osbourne Ozzy Osbourne hospitalized with “complications from the flu”