This disturbing photo of the Venezuela crisis shows civilians clashing with government troops as aid trucks are burned and destroyed. Photo / Supplied
This disturbing photo of the Venezuela crisis shows civilians clashing with government troops as aid trucks are burned and destroyed. Photo / Supplied
As Venezuela's deadly crisis sinks to new lows, American officials have warned the country's embattled leader his days are numbered.
Two people died in clashes over the weekend between civilians and troops loyal to President Nicolas Maduro, who blocked humanitarian trucks from delivering aid to the country.
Particularly shocking was this photo tweeted by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo:
The image shows civilians clashing with Mr Maduro's troops as trucks filled with food and supplies are brought to a halt and set on fire.
The incident took place on the Francisco de Paula Santander International Bridge between Cucuta in Colombia and Urena.
Pompeo reaffirmed the US condemned the civilian attacks "perpetrated by Maduro's thugs", deeming the Venezuelan president a "sick tyrant".
Venezuela's opposition had intended to peacefully bring aid trucks over the Brazilian and Colombian borders, but the move quickly descended into bloody violence, with Maduro's soldiers using a mixture of live ammunition and rubber bullets against civilians.
We denounce Maduro’s refusal to let humanitarian assistance reach #Venezuela. What kind of a sick tyrant stops food from getting to hungry people? The images of burning trucks filled with aid are sickening. pic.twitter.com/bJ1Qsxkgx8
Pompeo later issued a warning to Maduro, telling CNN: "Picking exact days is difficult. I'm confident that the Venezuelan people will ensure that Maduro's days are numbered."
He also accused "Cuban agents" of directing the attacks and praised Opposition Leader Juan Guaido — who has been recognised by 50 nations including the US and Australia — for leading the effort to allow the aid in.
"While interim president Juan Guaido builds distribution networks for humanitarian assistance, Maduro blocks its entry and sends armed criminal gangs to attack the innocent civilians accompanying the convoys," Pompeo said in a statement following the protests.
"Tomorrow is a new day. Now is the time to act in support of democracy and respond to the needs of the desperate Venezuelan people. The United States will take action against and hold accountable those who oppose the peaceful restoration of democracy in Venezuela."
US Vice President Mike Pence will today travel to Colombia to address a meeting of leaders of various Latin American countries.
He is expected to reiterate America's support for Guaido.
Venezuelans ride atop semi-trailers to the Simon Bolivar International Bridge, accompanying US humanitarian aid destined for Venezuela. Photo / AP
Meanwhile, Maduro has isolated Venezuela further by cutting off diplomatic ties with Colombia over the protests.
"We can't keep putting up with Colombian territory being used for attacks against Venezuela," he said at a rally. "For that reason, I've decided to sever all ties with the fascist government of Colombia. All consul employees should leave within 24 hours. Out! Get out. Enough is enough."
Colombia's Foreign Ministry responded in a statement the nation "does not recognise the legitimacy of the usurper Maduro" and instead backed Guaido.
"Colombia has always acted in a humanitarian and peaceful way and will continue to do so in order to help create the conditions that will give rise to democracy and freedom in Venezuela once again," the statement reads.
Several other American leaders and former politicians have condemned President Maduro's regime, including former president Bill Clinton, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
The people of Venezuela are enduring a serious humanitarian crisis. The Maduro government must put the needs of its people first, allow humanitarian aid into the country, and refrain from violence against protesters.
Two people, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed in clashes with security forces that left more than 300 people wounded at various border crossings.
Despite a blockade by Maduro, Guaido had set a Saturday deadline for the delivery of food and medical aid stockpiled in Colombia and Brazil. Aid is also being held on the Caribbean island of Curacao.
Gunshots could be heard in the streets of Urena during hours of rioting. Civil defence officials in Colombia said at least 285 people had been injured in clashes at border bridge crossings.
A protester stands behind a fire during a protest at the border between Brazil and Venezuela. Photo / AP
Most were Venezuelan nationals who were trying to cross with aid parcels when they were pushed back by Venezuelan forces.
Colombia also ordered aid trucks to return from the border after the violence.
But the most serious incident came hundreds of kilometres away, at the Santa Elena de Uairen crossing point on the southern border with Brazil where the killings took place.
Another 31 people were wounded when troops blocking the entry of aid opened fire on civilians hoping to gather it, according to rights group Foro Penal.
"They are massacring the people of Venezuela in Santa Elena de Uairen and San Antonio, where from seven o'clock in the morning they did not allow Venezuelans to gather to bring in humanitarian aid," Guaido told reporters in Cucuta, Colombia, where he was co-ordinating the aid operation.
Humanitarian aid, much of it from the United States, has become the centrepiece of the standoff between Maduro and Guaido, the 35-year-old leader of Venezuela's National Assembly who declared himself interim president one month ago.
Guaido announced he would participate in Monday's Lima Group meeting in Bogota and called on the international community to be prepared for "all possibilities" with regard to Maduro.
The country is gripped by a humanitarian crisis marked by soaring poverty during a prolonged recession and hyperinflation.
