European leaders worked through a long night of furious debate Monday as a bid to find compromise on Brussels' top jobs ran into stiff opposition.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel came to Brussels after developing a plan on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.

Under the "Sushi deal", the 28 EU leaders would nominate Dutch social democrat Frans Timmermans as president of the European Commission, rather than his conservative rival German MEP Manfred Weber.

Weber would instead be put forward for election as speaker of the European Parliament, while a liberal candidate would become president of the EU Council of national leaders.

But, when Merkel put this to fellow centre-right leaders in the European People's Party (EPP), several rebelled, and the main summit was delayed as heads of government shuttled between side meetings until dawn broke.

The leaders began a working dinner almost three hours late, only for the summit to be suspended an hour later to allow host EU Council president Donald Tusk to consult leaders individually.

Tusk's office tweeted the summit would resume "once bilaterals completed", but six hours later they were still underway, with the former Polish premier trying to get conservatives back on board.

Before the summit, but after the leaders from the centre-right group met, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic warned: "There is no support for what circulated in media today."

Irish premier Leo Varadkar was also pessimistic.&nbsp;

"From the EPP point of view, the vast majority of EPP prime ministers don't believe that we should give up the presidency of the Commission quite so easily without a fight," he said.

'Poorly prepared'

A French source told AFP the breakdown in communication between Merkel and her fellow centre-right leaders had not been anticipated.

"This summit was very poorly prepared," said one European diplomat, annoyed by the lack of consultation before the marathon session.

For a nominee to go forward, he or she must secure the backing of 21 of the 28 EU leaders, representing 65 percent of the bloc's population.

Timmermans, the outgoing vice-president of the Commission, spearheaded EU efforts to impose its vision of the rule of law on authoritarian-leaning eastern members and is firmly opposed by Hungary and Poland.

But sources said Merkel and Macron were trying to coral the eastern countries around to his candidacy which, if approved, could face a vote in the European Parliament on Wednesday.

Macron arrived at the summit in an upbeat mood, determined to push on with efforts to agree a power-sharing package, adding that the top jobs should be shared by men and women equally.

The 28 leaders are aiming to agree candidates for president of the European Commission, president of their own Council and a foreign policy chief.&nbsp;

"The way things are presented, they will not be very simple consultations, to put it mildly," Merkel, the bloc's most influential leader, said as she arrived.

Macron, however, reiterated the names of Timmermans, Danish liberal Margrethe Vestager and French conservative Michel Barnier.

He admitted he had been "hostile" to some candidates, implying Weber.

Merkel had discussed a four-person package at Saturday's G20 summit with Macron and prime ministers Pedro Sanchez of Spain and the Netherlands' Mark Rutte.

Historical mistake

As vice-president of the Commission for the past five years, Timmermans has made enemies in the east of the EU.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in a letter to EPP leader Joseph Daul, said Timmermans would be a "serious or even historical mistake".

Polish Premier Mateusz Morawiecki said: "Frans Timmermans is a candidate who deeply divides Europe and he certainly doesn't understand Central Europe."

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is attending her last EU summit. A spokesman said she would play a "constructive role" and would not abstain from any vote.

The EPP came out on top in European parliamentary elections in May, although with a historically low share of the vote and little-known Weber as its lead candidate.

European leaders worked through a long night of furious debate Monday as a bid to find compromise on Brussels' top jobs ran into stiff opposition. France's President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel came to Brussels after developing a plan on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.

European leaders worked through a long night of furious debate Monday as a bid to find compromise on Brussels' top jobs ran into stiff opposition. France's President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel came to Brussels after developing a plan on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan. Under the "Sushi deal", the 28 EU leaders would nominate Dutch social democrat Frans Timmermans as president of the European Commission, rather than his conservative rival German MEP Manfred Weber. Weber would instead be put forward for election as speaker of the European Parliament, while a liberal candidate would become president of the EU Council of national leaders. But, when Merkel put this to fellow centre-right leaders in the European People's Party (EPP), several rebelled, and the main summit was delayed as heads of government shuttled between side meetings until dawn broke. The leaders began a working dinner almost three hours late, only for the summit to be suspended an hour later to allow host EU Council president Donald Tusk to consult leaders individually. Tusk's office tweeted the summit would resume "once bilaterals completed", but six hours later they were still underway, with the former Polish premier trying to get conservatives back on board. Before the summit, but after the leaders from the centre-right group met, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic warned: "There is no support for what circulated in media today." Irish premier Leo Varadkar was also pessimistic. "From the EPP point of view, the vast majority of EPP prime ministers don't believe that we should give up the presidency of the Commission quite so easily without a fight," he said. 'Poorly prepared' A French source told AFP the breakdown in communication between Merkel and her fellow centre-right leaders had not been anticipated. "This summit was very poorly prepared," said one European diplomat, annoyed by the lack of consultation before the marathon session. For a nominee to go forward, he or she must secure the backing of 21 of the 28 EU leaders, representing 65 percent of the bloc's population. Timmermans, the outgoing vice-president of the Commission, spearheaded EU efforts to impose its vision of the rule of law on authoritarian-leaning eastern members and is firmly opposed by Hungary and Poland. But sources said Merkel and Macron were trying to coral the eastern countries around to his candidacy which, if approved, could face a vote in the European Parliament on Wednesday. Macron arrived at the summit in an upbeat mood, determined to push on with efforts to agree a power-sharing package, adding that the top jobs should be shared by men and women equally. The 28 leaders are aiming to agree candidates for president of the European Commission, president of their own Council and a foreign policy chief. "The way things are presented, they will not be very simple consultations, to put it mildly," Merkel, the bloc's most influential leader, said as she arrived. Macron, however, reiterated the names of Timmermans, Danish liberal Margrethe Vestager and French conservative Michel Barnier. He admitted he had been "hostile" to some candidates, implying Weber. Merkel had discussed a four-person package at Saturday's G20 summit with Macron and prime ministers Pedro Sanchez of Spain and the Netherlands' Mark Rutte. Historical mistake As vice-president of the Commission for the past five years, Timmermans has made enemies in the east of the EU. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in a letter to EPP leader Joseph Daul, said Timmermans would be a "serious or even historical mistake". Polish Premier Mateusz Morawiecki said: "Frans Timmermans is a candidate who deeply divides Europe and he certainly doesn't understand Central Europe." Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is attending her last EU summit. A spokesman said she would play a "constructive role" and would not abstain from any vote. The EPP came out on top in European parliamentary elections in May, although with a historically low share of the vote and little-known Weber as its lead candidate.

European Union top jobs summit in trouble as compromise falters

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-coalition-in-crisis-talks-after-european-union-vote-debacle-221923">German Chancellor Angela Merkel</a> and French President Emmanuel Macron will lock horns in Brussels on Tuesday as&nbsp;European Union&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;meet to begin bargaining over who will take the bloc's top jobs for the next five years.

An&nbsp;EU-wide election last week returned a&nbsp;European Parliament with a splintered centre and gains by pro-EU&nbsp;liberals and greens as well as&nbsp;eurosceptic nationalists and the far-right.

The centrist&nbsp;European People's Party (EPP) and Socialists &amp; Democrats (S&amp;D) can only count on 326 seats in the new, 751-strong chamber. That is short of the 376-seat majority needed to approve a new head for the bloc's executive&nbsp;European Commission.

Other big roles up for grabs later this year include the head of the&nbsp;European Parliament and the&nbsp;European Central Bank, the bloc's foreign policy chief and the head of the&nbsp;European Council, which gathers&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;of the&nbsp;EU's 28 member states.

Merkel called on Monday for a swift decision and an official from Macron's office said he too would "ideally" want the process finished in June. But the two&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;have differing views on how to pick a Commission chief.

The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;would risk an institutional logjam if talks are prolonged, leaving it unable to make key policy decisions at a time when it faces a more assertive Russia, China's growing economic might and the unpredictable US&nbsp;president.

Leaders&nbsp;of a majority of parties in the newly elected chamber on Monday called on the national&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;to nominate a lawmaker to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission chief.

Merkel officially favours the EPP candidate, German conservative Manfred Weber, to take over at the Commission.

But Weber has so far failed to rally the other&nbsp;EU&nbsp;assembly groups and a dinner he had wanted to host late on Monday with the S&amp;D, the liberal ALDE and the Greens was cancelled.

"The EPP is ready for all the necessary compromises," Weber said on Monday.

HARD TO CALL

Together, those four parties would hold 504 seats in the new&nbsp;EU&nbsp;chamber, according to the latest provisional results, comfortably enough to approve or reject any pick made by the 28 national&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;for the top Brussels posting.

Macron, meanwhile, will on Tuesday push against the "Spitzenkandidat" system whereby a lawmaker selected by the&nbsp;European assembly should get the Commission job.

On Monday night he met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is seeking a bigger political role for Madrid at the top of the&nbsp;EU.

A raft of separate face-to-face talks will take place in Brussels on Tuesday before all the&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;-- including outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May -- meet at 1600 GMT.

Their chairman, ex-Polish premier Donald Tusk, does not expect the package to be agreed on Tuesday but will continue consultations with capitals after the debate among&nbsp;leaders.

He also wants to have names ready for the new&nbsp;European Parliament's approval in July as otherwise the whole process risks getting delayed until autumn.

Unanimity is not required and current Commission president Juncker got the job despite opposition from London and with Budapest abstaining in 2014.

But it is hard to see a candidate succeeding against the will of more than just a handful of&nbsp;leaders, as that would risk hurting their cooperation in the future and stalling the&nbsp;EU's decision-making processes.

The obscure and difficult-to-call recruitment process will be a compromise between requirements of geography and political affiliation, as well as the candidates' own profiles.

Other names already in the running include Juncker's current deputy and Dutch social democrat Frans Timmermans, the bloc's Brexit negotiator, Frenchman Michel Barnier, and outgoing Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic, a Slovak.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will lock horns in Brussels on Tuesday as European Union leaders meet to begin bargaining over who will take the bloc's top jobs for the next five years.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will lock horns in Brussels on Tuesday as European Union leaders meet to begin bargaining over who will take the bloc's top jobs for the next five years. An EU-wide election last week returned a European Parliament with a splintered centre and gains by pro-EU liberals and greens as well as eurosceptic nationalists and the far-right. The centrist European People's Party (EPP) and Socialists & Democrats (S&D) can only count on 326 seats in the new, 751-strong chamber. That is short of the 376-seat majority needed to approve a new head for the bloc's executive European Commission. Other big roles up for grabs later this year include the head of the European Parliament and the European Central Bank, the bloc's foreign policy chief and the head of the European Council, which gathers leaders of the EU's 28 member states. Merkel called on Monday for a swift decision and an official from Macron's office said he too would "ideally" want the process finished in June. But the two leaders have differing views on how to pick a Commission chief. The EU would risk an institutional logjam if talks are prolonged, leaving it unable to make key policy decisions at a time when it faces a more assertive Russia, China's growing economic might and the unpredictable US president. Leaders of a majority of parties in the newly elected chamber on Monday called on the national leaders to nominate a lawmaker to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission chief. Merkel officially favours the EPP candidate, German conservative Manfred Weber, to take over at the Commission. But Weber has so far failed to rally the other EU assembly groups and a dinner he had wanted to host late on Monday with the S&D, the liberal ALDE and the Greens was cancelled. "The EPP is ready for all the necessary compromises," Weber said on Monday. HARD TO CALL Together, those four parties would hold 504 seats in the new EU chamber, according to the latest provisional results, comfortably enough to approve or reject any pick made by the 28 national leaders for the top Brussels posting. Macron, meanwhile, will on Tuesday push against the "Spitzenkandidat" system whereby a lawmaker selected by the European assembly should get the Commission job. On Monday night he met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is seeking a bigger political role for Madrid at the top of the EU. A raft of separate face-to-face talks will take place in Brussels on Tuesday before all the leaders -- including outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May -- meet at 1600 GMT. Their chairman, ex-Polish premier Donald Tusk, does not expect the package to be agreed on Tuesday but will continue consultations with capitals after the debate among leaders. He also wants to have names ready for the new European Parliament's approval in July as otherwise the whole process risks getting delayed until autumn. Unanimity is not required and current Commission president Juncker got the job despite opposition from London and with Budapest abstaining in 2014. But it is hard to see a candidate succeeding against the will of more than just a handful of leaders, as that would risk hurting their cooperation in the future and stalling the EU's decision-making processes. The obscure and difficult-to-call recruitment process will be a compromise between requirements of geography and political affiliation, as well as the candidates' own profiles. Other names already in the running include Juncker's current deputy and Dutch social democrat Frans Timmermans, the bloc's Brexit negotiator, Frenchman Michel Barnier, and outgoing Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic, a Slovak.

European Union leaders fire starting gun for top jobs race

The European People's Party (EPP) is going into Sunday's European elections with a declaration of war on nationalists and populists, as well as appeals for new unity in the EU.

Weber vows to fight populists, calls for EU unity

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macrons-main-measures-in-response-to-yellow-vest-protests-213552">Emmanuel Macron</a> this weekend faces a critical test of his ambitions to reform France and champion a liberal Europe in European Parliament elections where his own party risks losing to the far-right.

The latest opinion surveys show the far-right National Rally (RN) outpolling Macron's centrist Republic on the Move (LREM) by between 0.5-2 percentage points, after months where the two were neck-and-neck.

Analysts say that two years into his five-year term, the EU election represents a critical juncture for Macron and will influence whether the 41-year-old president can continue reforming in what he calls the "second act" of his time in office.

Macron has made no secret of the importance of the polls in France Sunday, telling regional newspapers this week the elections were the most important for four decades as the union faced an "existential threat".

At stake is the youthful president's vision of implementing further pro-business reforms in France, while emerging as a champion of more integration among EU member states.

Losing to Marine Le Pen's RN -- formerly known as the National Front -- could be a glaring blow to those ambitions.

Sources close to Macron say a bad loss could prompt a major cabinet reshuffle, with the job of Prime Minister Edouard Philippe seen as being on the line.

&nbsp;'Did not impose himself'&nbsp;

"Symbolically, losing European elections in his own country would be seen as a repudiation of someone so pro-European," said Sebastien Maillard, director of the Jacques Delors Institute think-tank.

"What is at stake for Emmanuel Macron is to have an influence in the future European parliament. This is not a given."

Macron will find it tricky to challenge the dominance of the conservative European People's Party (EPP) and the Socialists and Democrats (S&amp;D) in the 751-seat parliament.

His European allies, grouped together in the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), may only end up with some 100 seats.&nbsp;

"If you don't have a position in the European Parliament then your European influence is limited," said a French presidential official.

"This is what is at stake in the elections in the face of the nationalist risk."

The elections also come at a prickly time in Macron's relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is due to leave office in 2021 but who the French president wanted to cultivate as an ally in reforming Europe.

Merkel is unhappy with Macron challenging the EPP which she backs, while tensions have flared over Brexit, the choice of the next EU commission chief and France's decision to increase its budget deficit.

"The European political landscape is very fractured, there is no leadership and Macron has not succeeded in imposing his," said Jean-Thomas Lesueur, a political scientist at the Franco-Belgian Thomas More Institute.

After an initial burst of optimism, the "Germans became disenchanted quite quickly," he said.

'Give some oxygen'&nbsp;

The elections come with Macron still shaken after six months of sometimes violent anti-government protests by the "yellow vest" movement which prompted him to announce tax cuts for the working classes and a rise in the minimum wage.

The protests have shrunk in size, but Macron's popularity ratings remain leaden with the president painfully aware his two predecessors both lasted only one term without leaving any major mark.

Sources said if the LREM falls behind the RN all eyes will be on the margin to determine the magnitude of the reaction.

"If there is nothing in it, behind or in front, I don't see a reshuffle. But if we are three to four points behind the RN, or below 20 per cent, people within the ruling party will start to ask questions," said a person close to Macron, who asked not to be named.

"And this will require a change in personnel," the source told AFP.

A minister, also speaking on condition of anonymity, added: "If we are far behind the RN then things are going to shake. There will be a big reshuffle. I don't see how we can lose the elections" and not change the prime minister.

For Brice Teinturier from the polling institute Ipsos in France, a victory for Macron's party would give the government some "political oxygen" and capacity to allow reforms to continue.

"But if they are overtaken by the RN -- and not just by 0.5 but two percentage points -- this will be a failure and the capacity of the government to reform will be something that is merely hypothetical," he told AFP.

President Emmanuel Macron this weekend faces a critical test of his ambitions to reform France and champion a liberal Europe in European Parliament elections where his own party risks losing to the far-right.

President Emmanuel Macron this weekend faces a critical test of his ambitions to reform France and champion a liberal Europe in European Parliament elections where his own party risks losing to the far-right. The latest opinion surveys show the far-right National Rally (RN) outpolling Macron's centrist Republic on the Move (LREM) by between 0.5-2 percentage points, after months where the two were neck-and-neck. Analysts say that two years into his five-year term, the EU election represents a critical juncture for Macron and will influence whether the 41-year-old president can continue reforming in what he calls the "second act" of his time in office. Macron has made no secret of the importance of the polls in France Sunday, telling regional newspapers this week the elections were the most important for four decades as the union faced an "existential threat". At stake is the youthful president's vision of implementing further pro-business reforms in France, while emerging as a champion of more integration among EU member states. Losing to Marine Le Pen's RN -- formerly known as the National Front -- could be a glaring blow to those ambitions. Sources close to Macron say a bad loss could prompt a major cabinet reshuffle, with the job of Prime Minister Edouard Philippe seen as being on the line. 'Did not impose himself' "Symbolically, losing European elections in his own country would be seen as a repudiation of someone so pro-European," said Sebastien Maillard, director of the Jacques Delors Institute think-tank. "What is at stake for Emmanuel Macron is to have an influence in the future European parliament. This is not a given." Macron will find it tricky to challenge the dominance of the conservative European People's Party (EPP) and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the 751-seat parliament. His European allies, grouped together in the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), may only end up with some 100 seats. "If you don't have a position in the European Parliament then your European influence is limited," said a French presidential official. "This is what is at stake in the elections in the face of the nationalist risk." The elections also come at a prickly time in Macron's relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is due to leave office in 2021 but who the French president wanted to cultivate as an ally in reforming Europe. Merkel is unhappy with Macron challenging the EPP which she backs, while tensions have flared over Brexit, the choice of the next EU commission chief and France's decision to increase its budget deficit. "The European political landscape is very fractured, there is no leadership and Macron has not succeeded in imposing his," said Jean-Thomas Lesueur, a political scientist at the Franco-Belgian Thomas More Institute. After an initial burst of optimism, the "Germans became disenchanted quite quickly," he said. 'Give some oxygen' The elections come with Macron still shaken after six months of sometimes violent anti-government protests by the "yellow vest" movement which prompted him to announce tax cuts for the working classes and a rise in the minimum wage. The protests have shrunk in size, but Macron's popularity ratings remain leaden with the president painfully aware his two predecessors both lasted only one term without leaving any major mark. Sources said if the LREM falls behind the RN all eyes will be on the margin to determine the magnitude of the reaction. "If there is nothing in it, behind or in front, I don't see a reshuffle. But if we are three to four points behind the RN, or below 20 per cent, people within the ruling party will start to ask questions," said a person close to Macron, who asked not to be named. "And this will require a change in personnel," the source told AFP. A minister, also speaking on condition of anonymity, added: "If we are far behind the RN then things are going to shake. There will be a big reshuffle. I don't see how we can lose the elections" and not change the prime minister. For Brice Teinturier from the polling institute Ipsos in France, a victory for Macron's party would give the government some "political oxygen" and capacity to allow reforms to continue. "But if they are overtaken by the RN -- and not just by 0.5 but two percentage points -- this will be a failure and the capacity of the government to reform will be something that is merely hypothetical," he told AFP.

Macron's ambitions face test in high-stakes EU polls

Venezuela on Sunday expelled five visiting European lawmakers, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-opposition-leader-guaido-calls-for-million-volunteers-in-aid-standoff-197977">an act which opposition leader Juan </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-opposition-leader-guaido-calls-for-million-volunteers-in-aid-standoff-197977">Guaido</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-opposition-leader-guaido-calls-for-million-volunteers-in-aid-standoff-197977"> branded "irrational"</a> as his showdown with President Nicolas Maduro over the arrival of international aid intensifies.

The members of the European Parliament were being tossed out with no explanation, said Spanish MEP Esteban Gonzalez Pons, who led the group.

"We are being expelled from Venezuela. Our passports have been seized. They have not informed us of the reason for the expulsion," Pons said.

The incident is the latest point of tension between the international community and Maduro, who is in the grip of a power struggle with Guaido, the head of the National Assembly who proclaimed himself interim president last month.

Guaido has the backing of more than 50 countries including 30 in Europe.

Pons's compatriots Jose Ignacio Salafranca and Gabriel Mato Adrover, as well as Esther de Lange of the Netherlands and Paulo Rangel of Portugal, were also expelled. All are members of the conservative European People's Party (PPE).

Writing on Twitter, Guaido said the MEPs were being "deported by an isolated and increasingly irrational regime."

Earlier Sunday Guaido set a goal of enlisting a million volunteers within a week to confront a government blockade that has kept tons of humanitarian aid, most of it from the United States, from flowing into the country where residents can't get enough food and say they are dying because of a shortage of medicines.

The economy is imploding 
Guaido has given next Saturday -- one month to the day after he proclaimed himself acting president -- as the date for a showdown with Maduro over the aid.

Food supplies, hygiene kits and nutritional supplements have been stockpiled near the Venezuelan border in Cucuta, Colombia.

Additional storage centers are supposed to open this week in Brazil and Curacao, a Dutch island off Venezuela's northern Caribbean coast.&nbsp;

"Our principal task is to reach a million volunteers by February 23," Guaido said in a message to the 600,000 supporters who have signed up so far for the push to bring aid in.

He said the volunteers would gather at designated points, or participate on social media.&nbsp;

Caravans of buses are being planned to carry volunteers to border entry points to meet and transport arriving cargo. Guaido has kept to himself how he plans to overcome the border barriers put up by the Venezuelan military, on Maduro's orders.

Volunteer groups have begun meeting in "humanitarian camps" in several Venezuelan states to organize and prepare for the aid arrival. Sometimes working under awnings or tents, doctors, nurses, dentists and pediatricians have attended to local residents in need.

An imploding economy has driven an estimated 2.3 million Venezuelans to migrate from the oil-rich country. Those who remain have been punished by hyperinflation that has put scarce food and medicine out of reach for many.

Maduro, who denies the existence of a humanitarian crisis, dismisses the opposition moves as a "political show" and a cover for a US invasion.

"Venezuela is preparing for the humanitarian avalanche," Guaido told about 4,000 supporters clad in white T-shirts and green scarves who gathered Saturday to sign up as volunteers.

Andrea Hernandez, a physical therapy student whose mother is a pediatric nurse, is among those offering her help. Hernandez said her mom often "cried from seeing her patients die from lack of medicine."

So "humanitarian aid is the best thing for Venezuela at this time," Hernandez said.

An 'international crime' 
US Senator Marco Rubio arrived Sunday in Cucuta for a first-hand look at the aid operations. He met with officials at the collection point and visited the Simon Bolivar international bridge linking Colombia and Venezuela.

"Whoever prevents the entry of humanitarian aid is condemned to spend the rest of their lives fleeing international justice, because that is an international crime," Rubio said in Spanish.

Three US military cargo planes delivered several dozen more tons (tonnes) of food assistance to Cucuta on Saturday.&nbsp;

Another US aircraft is due in Curacao from Miami on Tuesday, and a collection center for Brazilian aid will open Monday on the border, Guaido's team said.

Venezuelans based in Miami held their own drive, putting together 1,000 crates of food to send to their homeland.

On Friday, Maduro instructed his army to prepare a "special deployment plan" for the 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border with Colombia.

Guaido appealed for the military to let the aid pass.

Maduro has dismissed the humanitarian assistance as "crumbs" and "rotten and contaminated food" while blaming shortages of food and medicine on US sanctions.

He said six million families had benefited from subsidized food boxes and he claimed to have bought 933 tons of medicines and medical supplies from China, Cuba and Russia, his main international allies.

Guaido announced that British billionaire Richard Branson was organizing a concert for February 22 in Cucuta with renowned international artists to raise money for the relief effort.

Venezuela on Sunday expelled five visiting European lawmakers, an act which opposition leader Juan Guaido branded "irrational" as his showdown with President Nicolas Maduro over the arrival of international aid intensifies.

Venezuela on Sunday expelled five visiting European lawmakers, an act which opposition leader Juan Guaido branded "irrational" as his showdown with President Nicolas Maduro over the arrival of international aid intensifies. The members of the European Parliament were being tossed out with no explanation, said Spanish MEP Esteban Gonzalez Pons, who led the group. "We are being expelled from Venezuela. Our passports have been seized. They have not informed us of the reason for the expulsion," Pons said. The incident is the latest point of tension between the international community and Maduro, who is in the grip of a power struggle with Guaido, the head of the National Assembly who proclaimed himself interim president last month. Guaido has the backing of more than 50 countries including 30 in Europe. Pons's compatriots Jose Ignacio Salafranca and Gabriel Mato Adrover, as well as Esther de Lange of the Netherlands and Paulo Rangel of Portugal, were also expelled. All are members of the conservative European People's Party (PPE). Writing on Twitter, Guaido said the MEPs were being "deported by an isolated and increasingly irrational regime." Earlier Sunday Guaido set a goal of enlisting a million volunteers within a week to confront a government blockade that has kept tons of humanitarian aid, most of it from the United States, from flowing into the country where residents can't get enough food and say they are dying because of a shortage of medicines. The economy is imploding Guaido has given next Saturday -- one month to the day after he proclaimed himself acting president -- as the date for a showdown with Maduro over the aid. Food supplies, hygiene kits and nutritional supplements have been stockpiled near the Venezuelan border in Cucuta, Colombia. Additional storage centers are supposed to open this week in Brazil and Curacao, a Dutch island off Venezuela's northern Caribbean coast. "Our principal task is to reach a million volunteers by February 23," Guaido said in a message to the 600,000 supporters who have signed up so far for the push to bring aid in. He said the volunteers would gather at designated points, or participate on social media. Caravans of buses are being planned to carry volunteers to border entry points to meet and transport arriving cargo. Guaido has kept to himself how he plans to overcome the border barriers put up by the Venezuelan military, on Maduro's orders. Volunteer groups have begun meeting in "humanitarian camps" in several Venezuelan states to organize and prepare for the aid arrival. Sometimes working under awnings or tents, doctors, nurses, dentists and pediatricians have attended to local residents in need. An imploding economy has driven an estimated 2.3 million Venezuelans to migrate from the oil-rich country. Those who remain have been punished by hyperinflation that has put scarce food and medicine out of reach for many. Maduro, who denies the existence of a humanitarian crisis, dismisses the opposition moves as a "political show" and a cover for a US invasion. "Venezuela is preparing for the humanitarian avalanche," Guaido told about 4,000 supporters clad in white T-shirts and green scarves who gathered Saturday to sign up as volunteers. Andrea Hernandez, a physical therapy student whose mother is a pediatric nurse, is among those offering her help. Hernandez said her mom often "cried from seeing her patients die from lack of medicine." So "humanitarian aid is the best thing for Venezuela at this time," Hernandez said. An 'international crime' US Senator Marco Rubio arrived Sunday in Cucuta for a first-hand look at the aid operations. He met with officials at the collection point and visited the Simon Bolivar international bridge linking Colombia and Venezuela. "Whoever prevents the entry of humanitarian aid is condemned to spend the rest of their lives fleeing international justice, because that is an international crime," Rubio said in Spanish. Three US military cargo planes delivered several dozen more tons (tonnes) of food assistance to Cucuta on Saturday. Another US aircraft is due in Curacao from Miami on Tuesday, and a collection center for Brazilian aid will open Monday on the border, Guaido's team said. Venezuelans based in Miami held their own drive, putting together 1,000 crates of food to send to their homeland. On Friday, Maduro instructed his army to prepare a "special deployment plan" for the 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border with Colombia. Guaido appealed for the military to let the aid pass. Maduro has dismissed the humanitarian assistance as "crumbs" and "rotten and contaminated food" while blaming shortages of food and medicine on US sanctions. He said six million families had benefited from subsidized food boxes and he claimed to have bought 933 tons of medicines and medical supplies from China, Cuba and Russia, his main international allies. Guaido announced that British billionaire Richard Branson was organizing a concert for February 22 in Cucuta with renowned international artists to raise money for the relief effort.

Venezuela expels five visiting European lawmakers, opposition leader Guaido says it's 'irrational'