Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro threatened to close the border with Colombia on Thursday as opposition leader Juan Guaido and some 80 lawmakers ran a gauntlet of roadblocks trying to get to the frontier to receive <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/300-tons-of-humanitarian-aid-from-russia-to-arrive-in-venezuela-198285">humanitarian aid</a>.

Guaido, who is recognised by dozens of countries as Venezuela's legitimate head of state, was poised for a showdown with Maduro's government on Saturday, when the opposition will attempt to bring in food and medicine being stockpiled in neighbouring countries.&nbsp;

Maduro denies there is a humanitarian crisis and said on Thursday he was considering closing Venezuela's key border with Colombia and would close the country's other main border with Brazil, effectively shutting off any legal land access.

The government has said soldiers will be stationed at official crossing points to repel any "territorial violations", although the opposition could attempt to cross anywhere along Venezuela's porous borders.

"I charge (Colombian President) Ivan Duque with any violence that might occur on the border," Maduro said in televised comments, surrounded by the military high command.

Venezuela has already closed its maritime border with the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire, after Curacao's government said it would help store aid.

Opposition lawmakers set off from Caracas in a convoy of buses just after 10 a.m. on a 800-km (500-mile) road trip to the border with Colombia. Crowds formed alongside a main highway out of the capital, waving Venezuelan flags and whooping in support.

A roadblock at a tunnel some 100 km (60 miles) along the main road forced several buses to stop, Reuters witnesses and lawmakers said. Lawmakers trying to get through scuffled with soldiers in riot gear at the tunnel's exit, TV footage showed.

"We have a commitment and that is to reach the border. We will try to get as far as we can," lawmaker Mariela Magallanes told Reuters by telephone from the scene. "Humanitarian aid is not the whim of a few lawmakers, it is a necessity."

Magallanes said her vehicle managed to pass through the tunnel after being stuck for several hours but other buses remained behind.

Lawmakers said Guaido's vehicle continued but his exact location was being kept a secret due to security concerns.

One opposition lawmaker in southeastern Bolivar state said he and some 20 other politicians would also travel to the border with Brazil.

The Information Ministry did not respond to a request to comment.

Guaido still has not provided details on how the aid could come in. Opposition figures have suggested forming human chains across the land borders to pass packages from person to person and fleets of boats arriving from the Dutch Caribbean islands.

Will military turn? 

The opposition says it is rallying relief efforts in Venezuela to alleviate widespread food and medicine shortages in the wake of its hyperinflationary economic collapse. The oil-rich economy has halved in size in five years.

Tons of aid sent by the US&nbsp;and Colombian governments is sitting in warehouses on the Colombian side of the border. Guaido tweeted late on Thursday that Chile was also airlifting supplies there, while Brazil's government said it was sending aid to its own border.

Meanwhile a boat carrying 250 tons of aid left Puerto Rico's capital of San Juan headed for Venezuela on Wednesday, the local government said in a statement.

Maduro accuses the Trump administration, which has levied crippling sanctions against his government, of seeking to force his ouster.

The US&nbsp;special envoy for Venezuela, Elliott Abrams, will lead a government delegation accompanying the delivery of aid from Florida to Cucuta via military aircraft between Thursday and Friday, the Department of State said.

Meanwhile, the office of US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence said he would fly to the Colombian capital, Bogota, on Monday to discuss the crisis with leaders of the regional Lima Group of nations.&nbsp;

Guaido invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency on Jan. 23 and denounces Maduro as an usurper. Maduro still retains the support of powerful nations like Russia and China, as well as the key backing of the military.

Some political analysts say Saturday's border showdown is less about resolving Venezuela's needs and more about testing the military`s loyalty by daring it to turn aid away.

"It's part of this calculus that sees the military as leading a transition in Venezuela," said Geoff Ramsey at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), a thinktank. 
Guaido has offered amnesty to military officers who disavow Maduro, though few have so far done so.

Former military intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal, who Washington accused of involvement in the drug trade a decade ago, released a social media video on Thursday offering his support for Guaido. Carvajal distanced himself from Maduro in 2017 by opposing the creation of an all-powerful legislature.

"I'm sure that Venezuela will soon return to democracy ... How this happens depends on you, brothers in arms," he said, addressing the military.

Gustavo Marcano, senior aide to the opposition's envoy to Washington, told reporters in the US&nbsp;capital on Thursday that 11 diplomats in the United States have defected from Maduro's government since Guaido declared himself interim president.

Bank accounts for Venezuelan embassies and consulates in the United States had been frozen, he said.

&nbsp;

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro threatened to close the border with Colombia on Thursday as opposition leader Juan Guaido and some 80 lawmakers ran a gauntlet of roadblocks trying to get to the frontier to receive humanitarian aid.

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro threatened to close the border with Colombia on Thursday as opposition leader Juan Guaido and some 80 lawmakers ran a gauntlet of roadblocks trying to get to the frontier to receive humanitarian aid. Guaido, who is recognised by dozens of countries as Venezuela's legitimate head of state, was poised for a showdown with Maduro's government on Saturday, when the opposition will attempt to bring in food and medicine being stockpiled in neighbouring countries. Maduro denies there is a humanitarian crisis and said on Thursday he was considering closing Venezuela's key border with Colombia and would close the country's other main border with Brazil, effectively shutting off any legal land access. The government has said soldiers will be stationed at official crossing points to repel any "territorial violations", although the opposition could attempt to cross anywhere along Venezuela's porous borders. "I charge (Colombian President) Ivan Duque with any violence that might occur on the border," Maduro said in televised comments, surrounded by the military high command. Venezuela has already closed its maritime border with the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire, after Curacao's government said it would help store aid. Opposition lawmakers set off from Caracas in a convoy of buses just after 10 a.m. on a 800-km (500-mile) road trip to the border with Colombia. Crowds formed alongside a main highway out of the capital, waving Venezuelan flags and whooping in support. A roadblock at a tunnel some 100 km (60 miles) along the main road forced several buses to stop, Reuters witnesses and lawmakers said. Lawmakers trying to get through scuffled with soldiers in riot gear at the tunnel's exit, TV footage showed. "We have a commitment and that is to reach the border. We will try to get as far as we can," lawmaker Mariela Magallanes told Reuters by telephone from the scene. "Humanitarian aid is not the whim of a few lawmakers, it is a necessity." Magallanes said her vehicle managed to pass through the tunnel after being stuck for several hours but other buses remained behind. Lawmakers said Guaido's vehicle continued but his exact location was being kept a secret due to security concerns. One opposition lawmaker in southeastern Bolivar state said he and some 20 other politicians would also travel to the border with Brazil. The Information Ministry did not respond to a request to comment. Guaido still has not provided details on how the aid could come in. Opposition figures have suggested forming human chains across the land borders to pass packages from person to person and fleets of boats arriving from the Dutch Caribbean islands. Will military turn? The opposition says it is rallying relief efforts in Venezuela to alleviate widespread food and medicine shortages in the wake of its hyperinflationary economic collapse. The oil-rich economy has halved in size in five years. Tons of aid sent by the US and Colombian governments is sitting in warehouses on the Colombian side of the border. Guaido tweeted late on Thursday that Chile was also airlifting supplies there, while Brazil's government said it was sending aid to its own border. Meanwhile a boat carrying 250 tons of aid left Puerto Rico's capital of San Juan headed for Venezuela on Wednesday, the local government said in a statement. Maduro accuses the Trump administration, which has levied crippling sanctions against his government, of seeking to force his ouster. The US special envoy for Venezuela, Elliott Abrams, will lead a government delegation accompanying the delivery of aid from Florida to Cucuta via military aircraft between Thursday and Friday, the Department of State said. Meanwhile, the office of US Vice President Mike Pence said he would fly to the Colombian capital, Bogota, on Monday to discuss the crisis with leaders of the regional Lima Group of nations. Guaido invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency on Jan. 23 and denounces Maduro as an usurper. Maduro still retains the support of powerful nations like Russia and China, as well as the key backing of the military. Some political analysts say Saturday's border showdown is less about resolving Venezuela's needs and more about testing the military`s loyalty by daring it to turn aid away. "It's part of this calculus that sees the military as leading a transition in Venezuela," said Geoff Ramsey at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), a thinktank. Guaido has offered amnesty to military officers who disavow Maduro, though few have so far done so. Former military intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal, who Washington accused of involvement in the drug trade a decade ago, released a social media video on Thursday offering his support for Guaido. Carvajal distanced himself from Maduro in 2017 by opposing the creation of an all-powerful legislature. "I'm sure that Venezuela will soon return to democracy ... How this happens depends on you, brothers in arms," he said, addressing the military. Gustavo Marcano, senior aide to the opposition's envoy to Washington, told reporters in the US capital on Thursday that 11 diplomats in the United States have defected from Maduro's government since Guaido declared himself interim president. Bank accounts for Venezuelan embassies and consulates in the United States had been frozen, he said.

Venezuela's Maduro starts shutting borders to block humanitarian aid

Russia on Friday accused the United States of using aid deliveries to Venezuela as a ploy to carry out military action against President Nicolas Maduro's government.

"A dangerous provocation, instigated and led by Washington, is planned for February 23," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, pointing to efforts by opposition leader Juan Guaido to pick up US aid being stockpiled on the Colombian border.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-against-forcefully-sending-aid-to-venezuela-198958">China against forcefully sending aid to Venezuela, says Foreign </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-against-forcefully-sending-aid-to-venezuela-198958">ministry</a>

Guaido's plans to try to bring the aid across the border are aimed at provoking clashes, she said, to provide "a convenient pretext for conducting military action".

Russia is a key supporter of Maduro's government and has repeatedly accused Washington of trying to carry out a coup in Venezuela.

On Thursday, Guaido set out in a convoy to collect US-supplied food and medicine stockpiled in Colombia, vowing to bring in the aid by Saturday.

Maduro has closed the border with Brazil to prevent the entry of aid and the military has beefed up security at the Colombian border.

Zakharova alleged that the US had moved special forces and military equipment "closer to Venezuelan territory" and was considering large-scale weapons purchases to arm the opposition.

Noting that it had been five years since the Ukrainian revolution that ousted a Russian-backed leader -- which Moscow has accused the US of orchestrating -- Zakharova said Washington was preparing for more regime change in Venezuela.

"It seems that in Washington there is nothing to mark the fifth anniversary of the coup d'etat in Ukraine, so they decided to hold a new coup d'etat," she said.

She warned that a US military intervention in Venezuela would lead to a "sharp increase in tensions" around the world.

Shipments of food and medicine for Venezuelans suffering in the country's economic crisis have become a focus of the power struggle between Maduro and Guaido.

Maduro has said Russia was providing 300 tonnes of aid but Moscow has not provided details.

Russian news agencies reported that Venezuela's Minister of Industries and National Production Tareck El Aissami would visit Moscow on Friday to meet with Russian officials.

A source quoted by the Interfax news agency said talks would focus on "cooperation in trade and the economy".

Russia on Friday accused the United States of using aid deliveries to Venezuela as a ploy to carry out military action against President Nicolas Maduro's government.

Russia on Friday accused the United States of using aid deliveries to Venezuela as a ploy to carry out military action against President Nicolas Maduro's government. "A dangerous provocation, instigated and led by Washington, is planned for February 23," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, pointing to efforts by opposition leader Juan Guaido to pick up US aid being stockpiled on the Colombian border. Also read: China against forcefully sending aid to Venezuela, says Foreign ministry Guaido's plans to try to bring the aid across the border are aimed at provoking clashes, she said, to provide "a convenient pretext for conducting military action". Russia is a key supporter of Maduro's government and has repeatedly accused Washington of trying to carry out a coup in Venezuela. On Thursday, Guaido set out in a convoy to collect US-supplied food and medicine stockpiled in Colombia, vowing to bring in the aid by Saturday. Maduro has closed the border with Brazil to prevent the entry of aid and the military has beefed up security at the Colombian border. Zakharova alleged that the US had moved special forces and military equipment "closer to Venezuelan territory" and was considering large-scale weapons purchases to arm the opposition. Noting that it had been five years since the Ukrainian revolution that ousted a Russian-backed leader -- which Moscow has accused the US of orchestrating -- Zakharova said Washington was preparing for more regime change in Venezuela. "It seems that in Washington there is nothing to mark the fifth anniversary of the coup d'etat in Ukraine, so they decided to hold a new coup d'etat," she said. She warned that a US military intervention in Venezuela would lead to a "sharp increase in tensions" around the world. Shipments of food and medicine for Venezuelans suffering in the country's economic crisis have become a focus of the power struggle between Maduro and Guaido. Maduro has said Russia was providing 300 tonnes of aid but Moscow has not provided details. Russian news agencies reported that Venezuela's Minister of Industries and National Production Tareck El Aissami would visit Moscow on Friday to meet with Russian officials. A source quoted by the Interfax news agency said talks would focus on "cooperation in trade and the economy".

Russia says US aid to Venezuela a 'pretext for military action'

China said Friday it was against forcefully sending "so-called humanitarian assistance" to Venezuela, warning it could spark conflict in the crisis-torn country.

China has loaned billions to Venezuela and has remained committed to President Nicolas Maduro even as the country has fallen deeper into economic crisis.

Foreign aid mostly from the US has piled up on Venezuela's borders as the Maduro government refuses to let it into the country.&nbsp;

"If the so-called humanitarian assistance were forcefully sent to Venezuela it might trigger conflict and lead to serious consequences," said China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

"This is not what anyone wants to see," Geng said.

"China is against military intervention in Venezuela and against any behaviour that might cause escalation or turmoil," he told reporters.&nbsp;

Opposition leader and self-declared interim president Juan Guaido have vowed to bring aid in from various points Saturday "one way or another" despite military efforts to block it.

Shipments of food and medicine for Venezuelans suffering in the country's economic crisis have become a focus of the power struggle between Maduro and Guaido.

"We have noticed recently the Venezuelan government has been level-headed and exercised restraint to safeguard domestic peace and stability and effectively prevented large-scale conflict," Geng said.

Venezuela's military said it is on alert at its frontiers and has closed border crossings and suspended air and sea links with the nearby island of Curacao ahead of the expected aid shipment.

The White House said Vice President Mike Pence would visit neighbouring Colombia on Monday in a show of support for Guaido.&nbsp;

The US has repeatedly said "all options," including military, are on the table.

China said Friday it was against forcefully sending "so-called humanitarian assistance" to Venezuela, warning it could spark conflict in the crisis-torn country.

China said Friday it was against forcefully sending "so-called humanitarian assistance" to Venezuela, warning it could spark conflict in the crisis-torn country. China has loaned billions to Venezuela and has remained committed to President Nicolas Maduro even as the country has fallen deeper into economic crisis. Foreign aid mostly from the US has piled up on Venezuela's borders as the Maduro government refuses to let it into the country. "If the so-called humanitarian assistance were forcefully sent to Venezuela it might trigger conflict and lead to serious consequences," said China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang. "This is not what anyone wants to see," Geng said. "China is against military intervention in Venezuela and against any behaviour that might cause escalation or turmoil," he told reporters. Opposition leader and self-declared interim president Juan Guaido have vowed to bring aid in from various points Saturday "one way or another" despite military efforts to block it. Shipments of food and medicine for Venezuelans suffering in the country's economic crisis have become a focus of the power struggle between Maduro and Guaido. "We have noticed recently the Venezuelan government has been level-headed and exercised restraint to safeguard domestic peace and stability and effectively prevented large-scale conflict," Geng said. Venezuela's military said it is on alert at its frontiers and has closed border crossings and suspended air and sea links with the nearby island of Curacao ahead of the expected aid shipment. The White House said Vice President Mike Pence would visit neighbouring Colombia on Monday in a show of support for Guaido. The US has repeatedly said "all options," including military, are on the table.

China against forcefully sending aid to Venezuela: Foreign ministry

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday the government was considering closing the border with Colombia and would close the border with Brazil ahead of opposition plans to bring in humanitarian aid despite his objection.

In televised comments, Maduro said the stockpiling of aid for Venezuela in the Colombian border town of Cucuta was a "provocation". He argues the opposition's plans are a cheap show to undermine his government.

Maduro said the government would close the border with Brazil on Thursday night after the Brazilian government pledged to also send aid in.

According to a report by news agency, AFP the&nbsp;border with Brazil would be "completely and absolutely" closed from 8:00 pm (0000 GMT) "until further notice."

Venezuela<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/guaido-says-hes-trying-to-freeze-venezuelan-accounts-in-switzerland-198620"> President legitimacy has been in the crisis since January</a> after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself as an acting President. He also called the incumbent Nicolas Maduro's 2018 reelections invalid and the body that elevated him.

The crisis has sparked mass protest in the country with thousands of people demonstrating against Maduro.

However, Maduro's government says, the current crisis is a coup attempt led by the United States to topple him and control the country's vast oil reserves.

Most Western countries, including the United States, have recognised Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state, but Maduro retains the backing of Russia and China as well as control of state institutions including the military.

Earlier this week, Trump&nbsp;urged Venezuela's military&nbsp;to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-venezuela-military-to-back-opposition-leader-guaido-or-lose-everything-198182">accept Guaido's amnesty offer, or stand to "lose everything,"</a> as the presidency crisis deepened over Maduro's refusal to let in desperately needed humanitarian aid sent by the US.

Guaido has ordered the armed forces to let the aid pass, but they remain loyal to Maduro's regime.

Three US military cargo planes delivered several dozen tons of food assistance to Cucuta on Saturday. Another US aircraft is due in Curacao from Miami on Tuesday.

Maduro has dismissed the humanitarian assistance as "crumbs" and "rotten and contaminated food," while blaming shortages of food and medicine on US sanctions.

(With inputs from agencies)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday the government was considering closing the border with Colombia and would close the border with Brazil ahead of opposition plans to bring in humanitarian aid despite his objection.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday the government was considering closing the border with Colombia and would close the border with Brazil ahead of opposition plans to bring in humanitarian aid despite his objection. In televised comments, Maduro said the stockpiling of aid for Venezuela in the Colombian border town of Cucuta was a "provocation". He argues the opposition's plans are a cheap show to undermine his government. Maduro said the government would close the border with Brazil on Thursday night after the Brazilian government pledged to also send aid in. According to a report by news agency, AFP the border with Brazil would be "completely and absolutely" closed from 8:00 pm (0000 GMT) "until further notice." Venezuela President legitimacy has been in the crisis since January after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself as an acting President. He also called the incumbent Nicolas Maduro's 2018 reelections invalid and the body that elevated him. The crisis has sparked mass protest in the country with thousands of people demonstrating against Maduro. However, Maduro's government says, the current crisis is a coup attempt led by the United States to topple him and control the country's vast oil reserves. Most Western countries, including the United States, have recognised Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state, but Maduro retains the backing of Russia and China as well as control of state institutions including the military. Earlier this week, Trump urged Venezuela's military to accept Guaido's amnesty offer, or stand to "lose everything," as the presidency crisis deepened over Maduro's refusal to let in desperately needed humanitarian aid sent by the US. Guaido has ordered the armed forces to let the aid pass, but they remain loyal to Maduro's regime. Three US military cargo planes delivered several dozen tons of food assistance to Cucuta on Saturday. Another US aircraft is due in Curacao from Miami on Tuesday. Maduro has dismissed the humanitarian assistance as "crumbs" and "rotten and contaminated food," while blaming shortages of food and medicine on US sanctions. (With inputs from agencies)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to close border with Brazil 'until further notice'

Venezuelan security forces have executed several people and arbitrarily detained hundreds of others in a campaign to punish people who protested against President Nicolas Maduro, human rights group Amnesty International said on Wednesday.

In a report titled "Hunger, punishment and fear, the formula for repression in Venezuela," Amnesty said dozens died during five days of protests from Jan 21 to Jan 25, almost all from gunshot wounds, and 900 people were arrested.

Amnesty called on the UN Human Rights Council to take action to address the "total impunity that prevails in Venezuela" by creating an independent investigative body to report on the human rights situation.

The protests were sparked by opposition leader Juan Guaido's call for people to demand a change in government after Maduro began a second term following a vote last year widely considered as fraudulent. Guaido on Jan. 23 invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency, though Maduro says Guaido is leading a U.S.-directed coup against him.

"The authorities under Nicolas Maduro are trying to use fear and punishment to impose a repulsive strategy of social control against those who demand change," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty.

"His government is attacking the most impoverished people that it claims to defend, but instead it murders, detains and threatens them."

Venezuela's Information Ministry did not respond to a request to comment.

Amnesty said state authorities carried out extrajudicial executions as a method of social control, mainly using the National Police's Special Actions Force (FAES) to target poor areas that had risen up against Maduro.

The FAES have carried out dozens of deadly raids in recent weeks. The unit has said reports of abuses are "fake news" spread by right-wing opponents and their "struggle is against all criminals that ravage our communities."

Amnesty said 41 people had died, mostly from gunshot wounds, in protests in late January. It said it had documented six extrajudicial executions by the FAES of young men linked to the protests.

In one case in the city of Carora, Amnesty said, police beat up Luis Enrique Ramos Suarez, 29, at his home where 10 relatives were present, shot him dead and then staged a mock shoot out to cover up the killing.

Amnesty recommended that prosecutors at the International Criminal Court should consider the facts in its report and possibly incorporate them in a preliminary examination already underway on Venezuela.

Venezuelan security forces have executed several people and arbitrarily detained hundreds of others in a campaign to punish people who protested against President Nicolas Maduro, human rights group Amnesty International said on Wednesday.

Venezuelan security forces have executed several people and arbitrarily detained hundreds of others in a campaign to punish people who protested against President Nicolas Maduro, human rights group Amnesty International said on Wednesday. In a report titled "Hunger, punishment and fear, the formula for repression in Venezuela," Amnesty said dozens died during five days of protests from Jan 21 to Jan 25, almost all from gunshot wounds, and 900 people were arrested. Amnesty called on the UN Human Rights Council to take action to address the "total impunity that prevails in Venezuela" by creating an independent investigative body to report on the human rights situation. The protests were sparked by opposition leader Juan Guaido's call for people to demand a change in government after Maduro began a second term following a vote last year widely considered as fraudulent. Guaido on Jan. 23 invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency, though Maduro says Guaido is leading a U.S.-directed coup against him. "The authorities under Nicolas Maduro are trying to use fear and punishment to impose a repulsive strategy of social control against those who demand change," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty. "His government is attacking the most impoverished people that it claims to defend, but instead it murders, detains and threatens them." Venezuela's Information Ministry did not respond to a request to comment. Amnesty said state authorities carried out extrajudicial executions as a method of social control, mainly using the National Police's Special Actions Force (FAES) to target poor areas that had risen up against Maduro. The FAES have carried out dozens of deadly raids in recent weeks. The unit has said reports of abuses are "fake news" spread by right-wing opponents and their "struggle is against all criminals that ravage our communities." Amnesty said 41 people had died, mostly from gunshot wounds, in protests in late January. It said it had documented six extrajudicial executions by the FAES of young men linked to the protests. In one case in the city of Carora, Amnesty said, police beat up Luis Enrique Ramos Suarez, 29, at his home where 10 relatives were present, shot him dead and then staged a mock shoot out to cover up the killing. Amnesty recommended that prosecutors at the International Criminal Court should consider the facts in its report and possibly incorporate them in a preliminary examination already underway on Venezuela.

Venezuela security forces kill, punish anti-Maduro protesters: Amnesty

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said he spoke to the president of Switzerland on Wednesday to try to freeze banks accounts belonging to the tumultuous South American nation after "irregular movements" were discovered.

Guaido invoked a constitutional provision to claim the presidency three weeks ago, arguing that Nicolas Maduro's re-election last year was a sham. Since then, Guaido has been trying to control Venezuelan assets overseas.

"We are talking to the Swiss president," Guaido said in an interview with Mexican network Televisa. He said they had spoken on Wednesday morning but did not mention Swiss President Ueli Maurer by name.

Guaido said the Venezuelan government held bank accounts in Switzerland and that irregular efforts to migrate part of those accounts to "another site" had been detected.

"We are doing everything possible to protect these assets that belong to the republic," he said.

He did not say who had detected the movements in the accounts, whether any money had been transferred or give further details.

Most Western countries, including the United States, have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state, but Maduro retains the backing of Russia and China as well as control of state institutions including the military.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said he spoke to the president of Switzerland on Wednesday to try to freeze banks accounts belonging to the tumultuous South American nation after "irregular movements" were discovered.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said he spoke to the president of Switzerland on Wednesday to try to freeze banks accounts belonging to the tumultuous South American nation after "irregular movements" were discovered. Guaido invoked a constitutional provision to claim the presidency three weeks ago, arguing that Nicolas Maduro's re-election last year was a sham. Since then, Guaido has been trying to control Venezuelan assets overseas. "We are talking to the Swiss president," Guaido said in an interview with Mexican network Televisa. He said they had spoken on Wednesday morning but did not mention Swiss President Ueli Maurer by name. Guaido said the Venezuelan government held bank accounts in Switzerland and that irregular efforts to migrate part of those accounts to "another site" had been detected. "We are doing everything possible to protect these assets that belong to the republic," he said. He did not say who had detected the movements in the accounts, whether any money had been transferred or give further details. Most Western countries, including the United States, have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state, but Maduro retains the backing of Russia and China as well as control of state institutions including the military.

Guaido says he's trying to freeze Venezuelan accounts in Switzerland

Venezuela's armed forces said Tuesday they were on "alert" for border violations following threats by US President Donald Trump who urged them to back opposition leader Juan Guaido.

"The armed forces will remain deployed and on alert along the borders... to avoid any violations of territorial integrity," said Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, reading out a statement in a public appearance alongside top commanders.

"We reiterate unrestrictedly our obedience, subordination and loyalty" to President Nicolas Maduro, he added.

Maduro faces calls to quit as his country struggles with shortages of food and medicine.

The military high command has so far maintained its public backing for Maduro -- seen as key to keeping him in power.

Guaido, leader of the Venezuelan legislature, has declared himself acting president and is appealing to military leaders to switch allegiance to him.

He is backed by the United States and some 50 other countries.

The United States has sent food and medical aid for Venezuela but the military has so far refused to let it enter the country.

Guaido, 35, has offered military commanders an amnesty if they abandon Maduro.

On Tuesday he published a series of tweets calling by name on senior military leaders commanding border posts to abandon Maduro.

Trump has refused to rule out US military action in Venezuela. He raised the pressure on Monday, issuing a warning to the Venezuelan military.

He told them that if they continue to support Maduro, "you will find no safe harbor, no easy exit and no way out. You will lose everything."

Padrino rejected Trump's threat, branding the US president "arrogant."

Maduro's government says the aid is a smokescreen for an invasion.

If foreign powers try to help install a new government by force, they will have to do so "over our dead bodies," Padrino said. 
&nbsp;

Venezuela's armed forces said Tuesday they were on "alert" for border violations following threats by US President Donald Trump who urged them to back opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Venezuela's armed forces said Tuesday they were on "alert" for border violations following threats by US President Donald Trump who urged them to back opposition leader Juan Guaido. "The armed forces will remain deployed and on alert along the borders... to avoid any violations of territorial integrity," said Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, reading out a statement in a public appearance alongside top commanders. "We reiterate unrestrictedly our obedience, subordination and loyalty" to President Nicolas Maduro, he added. Maduro faces calls to quit as his country struggles with shortages of food and medicine. The military high command has so far maintained its public backing for Maduro -- seen as key to keeping him in power. Guaido, leader of the Venezuelan legislature, has declared himself acting president and is appealing to military leaders to switch allegiance to him. He is backed by the United States and some 50 other countries. The United States has sent food and medical aid for Venezuela but the military has so far refused to let it enter the country. Guaido, 35, has offered military commanders an amnesty if they abandon Maduro. On Tuesday he published a series of tweets calling by name on senior military leaders commanding border posts to abandon Maduro. Trump has refused to rule out US military action in Venezuela. He raised the pressure on Monday, issuing a warning to the Venezuelan military. He told them that if they continue to support Maduro, "you will find no safe harbor, no easy exit and no way out. You will lose everything." Padrino rejected Trump's threat, branding the US president "arrogant." Maduro's government says the aid is a smokescreen for an invasion. If foreign powers try to help install a new government by force, they will have to do so "over our dead bodies," Padrino said.

Venezuela armed forces on 'alert' for border violations

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-discussions-about-removing-him-treasonous-198179">US President Donald Trump</a> urged Venezuela's military Monday to accept opposition leader Juan Guaido's amnesty offer, or stand to "lose everything," as a crisis deepened over President Nicolas Maduro's refusal to let in desperately needed humanitarian aid.

Bringing in humanitarian aid is crucial to the viability of Guaido, who has denounced Maduro's re-election last year as fraudulent and in January declared himself interim president, a move recognized by some 50 countries.

He has given the Maduro government until Saturday to let the shipments into the country, which is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis due to shortages of food and medicine exacerbated by hyperinflation.

Addressing supporters and Venezuelan expatriates in Miami on Sunday, Trump declared he had a message for officials helping keep Maduro in place.

"The eyes of the entire world are upon you today, every day and every day in the future," he said.

"You cannot hide from the choice that now confronts you. You can choose to accept president Guaido's generous offer of amnesty to live your life in peace with your families and your countrymen.

"Or you can choose the second path: continuing to support Maduro. If you choose this path, you will find no safe harbour, no easy exit and no way out. You will lose everything."

Guaido has set a target of signing up to a million volunteers to help bring in the aid, with 600,000 already registered.

"On February 23, we have the opportunity to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans," he said on Sunday.

Opposition officials Sunday hit out at state internet provider CANTV for blocking the website where volunteers are signing up to help bring in the aid, mostly supplied by the United States but stockpiled in Colombia just over the border from Venezuela.

Committed to change&nbsp;

A second aid collection centre is due to begin operations in Brazil's northeastern state of Roraima, which borders Venezuela. But there is much uncertainty over the aid in Brazil, with officials there saying they have no information at this point.

Military officials in Roraima said they had yet to receive orders, although a collection centre could be set up quickly, with some businesses having already provided warehouses to that effect.

A third centre is due to open this week on the Dutch island of Curacao, off Venezuela's north coast.

Tensions mounted on Sunday after Guaido branded the government "irrational" for expelling five visiting European lawmakers.

The European Parliament members were being tossed out with no explanation, said Spanish MEP Esteban Gonzalez Pons, who led a group including fellow Spaniards Jose Ignacio Salafranca and Gabriel Mato Adrover, as well as Esther de Lange of the Netherlands and Paulo Rangel of Portugal.

Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said the Europeans had "conspiratorial aims" and were sent back from the country's main Maiquetia airport.

The humanitarian aid standoff is due to come to a head this weekend when caravans of buses are set to carry volunteers to border entry points to meet and transport arriving cargo.

It is unclear how Guaido will 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 arrival of the aid to alleviate hardship from an imploding economy has driven an estimated 2.3 million Venezuelans to migrate from the oil-rich country.&nbsp;

Maduro, who denies the existence of a humanitarian crisis, dismisses the opposition moves as a "political show" and a cover for a US invasion.

An 'international crime'&nbsp;

"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," US Senator Marco Rubio said as he toured the Colombian collection centre in Cucuta on Sunday.

Three US military cargo planes delivered several dozen tons of food assistance to Cucuta on Saturday. Another US aircraft is due in Curacao from Miami on Tuesday.

On Friday, Maduro instructed his army to prepare a "special deployment plan" for the 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border with Colombia.

Guaido has ordered the armed forces to let the aid pass, but they remain loyal to Maduro's regime.

Maduro has dismissed the humanitarian assistance as "crumbs" and "rotten and contaminated food," while blaming shortages of food and medicine on US sanctions.

In Maduro-friendly Cuba, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said he urged the more than 100 ambassadors and heads of mission serving on the communist island to reject "the US military's aggression of Venezuela" in a meeting.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump urged Venezuela's military Monday to accept opposition leader Juan Guaido's amnesty offer, or stand to "lose everything," as a crisis deepened over President Nicolas Maduro's refusal to let in desperately needed humanitarian aid.

US President Donald Trump urged Venezuela's military Monday to accept opposition leader Juan Guaido's amnesty offer, or stand to "lose everything," as a crisis deepened over President Nicolas Maduro's refusal to let in desperately needed humanitarian aid. Bringing in humanitarian aid is crucial to the viability of Guaido, who has denounced Maduro's re-election last year as fraudulent and in January declared himself interim president, a move recognized by some 50 countries. He has given the Maduro government until Saturday to let the shipments into the country, which is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis due to shortages of food and medicine exacerbated by hyperinflation. Addressing supporters and Venezuelan expatriates in Miami on Sunday, Trump declared he had a message for officials helping keep Maduro in place. "The eyes of the entire world are upon you today, every day and every day in the future," he said. "You cannot hide from the choice that now confronts you. You can choose to accept president Guaido's generous offer of amnesty to live your life in peace with your families and your countrymen. "Or you can choose the second path: continuing to support Maduro. If you choose this path, you will find no safe harbour, no easy exit and no way out. You will lose everything." Guaido has set a target of signing up to a million volunteers to help bring in the aid, with 600,000 already registered. "On February 23, we have the opportunity to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans," he said on Sunday. Opposition officials Sunday hit out at state internet provider CANTV for blocking the website where volunteers are signing up to help bring in the aid, mostly supplied by the United States but stockpiled in Colombia just over the border from Venezuela. Committed to change A second aid collection centre is due to begin operations in Brazil's northeastern state of Roraima, which borders Venezuela. But there is much uncertainty over the aid in Brazil, with officials there saying they have no information at this point. Military officials in Roraima said they had yet to receive orders, although a collection centre could be set up quickly, with some businesses having already provided warehouses to that effect. A third centre is due to open this week on the Dutch island of Curacao, off Venezuela's north coast. Tensions mounted on Sunday after Guaido branded the government "irrational" for expelling five visiting European lawmakers. The European Parliament members were being tossed out with no explanation, said Spanish MEP Esteban Gonzalez Pons, who led a group including fellow Spaniards Jose Ignacio Salafranca and Gabriel Mato Adrover, as well as Esther de Lange of the Netherlands and Paulo Rangel of Portugal. Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said the Europeans had "conspiratorial aims" and were sent back from the country's main Maiquetia airport. The humanitarian aid standoff is due to come to a head this weekend when caravans of buses are set to carry volunteers to border entry points to meet and transport arriving cargo. It is unclear how Guaido will 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 arrival of the aid to alleviate hardship from an imploding economy has driven an estimated 2.3 million Venezuelans to migrate from the oil-rich country. Maduro, who denies the existence of a humanitarian crisis, dismisses the opposition moves as a "political show" and a cover for a US invasion. An 'international crime' "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," US Senator Marco Rubio said as he toured the Colombian collection centre in Cucuta on Sunday. Three US military cargo planes delivered several dozen tons of food assistance to Cucuta on Saturday. Another US aircraft is due in Curacao from Miami on Tuesday. On Friday, Maduro instructed his army to prepare a "special deployment plan" for the 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border with Colombia. Guaido has ordered the armed forces to let the aid pass, but they remain loyal to Maduro's regime. Maduro has dismissed the humanitarian assistance as "crumbs" and "rotten and contaminated food," while blaming shortages of food and medicine on US sanctions. In Maduro-friendly Cuba, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said he urged the more than 100 ambassadors and heads of mission serving on the communist island to reject "the US military's aggression of Venezuela" in a meeting.

Trump tells Venezuela military to back opposition leader Guaido or 'lose everything'

Japan's foreign minister on Tuesday declared his country's support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president in a challenge to ruling leader Nicolas Maduro.

"Our country has called for early elections... but unfortunately elections have not been held yet," Foreign Minister Taro Kono said at a press conference.

"Considering the circumstances, our country clearly backs provisional president Guaido. We once again call on the country to hold free and fair elections," Kono said.

The move by Tokyo comes amid a growing crisis in Venezuela, with increasing pressure on the country's embattled leader Maduro and the army.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump urged the Venezuelan military to back Guaido or "lose everything".

The US has called for Maduro to step aside, backing Guaido who has denounced the Venezuelan president's re-election last year as fraudulent.

The opposition figure declared himself interim president in January, and has now been recognised by around 50 countries.

He is locked in a standoff with Maduro over a US plan to send aid to Venezuela, which is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis due to shortages of food and medicine exacerbated by hyperinflation.

Guaido plans to sign up a million volunteers to bring the aid into the country, despite roadblocks set up by Maduro's government, which says it will receive 300 tonnes of aid from Russia this week.

Japan's foreign minister on Tuesday declared his country's support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president in a challenge to ruling leader Nicolas Maduro.

Japan's foreign minister on Tuesday declared his country's support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president in a challenge to ruling leader Nicolas Maduro. "Our country has called for early elections... but unfortunately elections have not been held yet," Foreign Minister Taro Kono said at a press conference. "Considering the circumstances, our country clearly backs provisional president Guaido. We once again call on the country to hold free and fair elections," Kono said. The move by Tokyo comes amid a growing crisis in Venezuela, with increasing pressure on the country's embattled leader Maduro and the army. On Monday, US President Donald Trump urged the Venezuelan military to back Guaido or "lose everything". The US has called for Maduro to step aside, backing Guaido who has denounced the Venezuelan president's re-election last year as fraudulent. The opposition figure declared himself interim president in January, and has now been recognised by around 50 countries. He is locked in a standoff with Maduro over a US plan to send aid to Venezuela, which is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis due to shortages of food and medicine exacerbated by hyperinflation. Guaido plans to sign up a million volunteers to bring the aid into the country, despite roadblocks set up by Maduro's government, which says it will receive 300 tonnes of aid from Russia this week.

Japan throws support behind Venezuela's Guaido

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday that 300 tons of humanitarian aid from Russia will arrive in the country later this week, an announcement made at a time when the opposition is pressing for the entry of donations from other countries amid a shortage of medicines.

"On Wednesday, 300 tons of aid and humanitarian assistance will, legally, arrive from Russia at the Maiquetia (International) Airport (which serves Caracas)," he said in a presidential council which was broadcast on radio and television on a mandatory basis.&nbsp;

He indicated that this aid was paid for by the executive and indicated that his government is receiving "technical assistance" from the United Nations (UN).

The president said that was possible that in the next few days there will be an announcement made by several countries to offer their support, through the UN, to Venezuela.

He also insisted that the donations made by the United States and Colombia at the request of the Venezuelan Parliament, which has an opposition majority, and that is blocked at the border, are expired and contaminated food.

"The humanitarian aid is a 'show', a booby trap. They stole from us $30 billion and offer us $20 million of rotten, contaminated food, in order to try to intervene in Venezuela," he said while asking the Colombian president, Ivan Duque, and the American, Donald Trump, to drop the "madness."

Maduro's announcement came on a day when his communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, said that he will take food and medical treatment to the Colombian city of Cucuta due to the poverty that its residents suffer.

Cucuta is one of the collection centres for humanitarian aid requested by the Venezuelan Parliament, but Maduro refuses to accept it on the grounds that it may lead to a foreign invasion, especially after the ignoring of his new term in office following his election in polls branded as fraudulent.

For this reason, and after the head of the Parliament, Juan Guaido, was proclaimed interim president because Maduro was considered illegitimate, almost 50 countries have also recognized Guaido as the country's leader.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday that 300 tons of humanitarian aid from Russia will arrive in the country later this week, an announcement made at a time when the opposition is pressing for the entry of donations from other countries amid a shortage of medicines.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday that 300 tons of humanitarian aid from Russia will arrive in the country later this week, an announcement made at a time when the opposition is pressing for the entry of donations from other countries amid a shortage of medicines. "On Wednesday, 300 tons of aid and humanitarian assistance will, legally, arrive from Russia at the Maiquetia (International) Airport (which serves Caracas)," he said in a presidential council which was broadcast on radio and television on a mandatory basis. He indicated that this aid was paid for by the executive and indicated that his government is receiving "technical assistance" from the United Nations (UN). The president said that was possible that in the next few days there will be an announcement made by several countries to offer their support, through the UN, to Venezuela. He also insisted that the donations made by the United States and Colombia at the request of the Venezuelan Parliament, which has an opposition majority, and that is blocked at the border, are expired and contaminated food. "The humanitarian aid is a 'show', a booby trap. They stole from us $30 billion and offer us $20 million of rotten, contaminated food, in order to try to intervene in Venezuela," he said while asking the Colombian president, Ivan Duque, and the American, Donald Trump, to drop the "madness." Maduro's announcement came on a day when his communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, said that he will take food and medical treatment to the Colombian city of Cucuta due to the poverty that its residents suffer. Cucuta is one of the collection centres for humanitarian aid requested by the Venezuelan Parliament, but Maduro refuses to accept it on the grounds that it may lead to a foreign invasion, especially after the ignoring of his new term in office following his election in polls branded as fraudulent. For this reason, and after the head of the Parliament, Juan Guaido, was proclaimed interim president because Maduro was considered illegitimate, almost 50 countries have also recognized Guaido as the country's leader.

300 tons of humanitarian aid from Russia to arrive in Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido set a goal Sunday of enlisting a million volunteers within a week to confront a government blockade that has kept tons of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-venezuela-volunteers-begin-preparing-us-aid-entry-197915">humanitarian aid</a>, most of it from the United States, from flowing into the country.

Guaido has given February 23 — one month to the day after he proclaimed himself acting president — as the date for a showdown over the aid with the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Food supplies, hygiene kits and nutritional supplements have been stockpiled near the Venezuelan border in Cucuta, Colombia.

Additional storage centres 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, but Guaido has kept to himself how he plans to overcome the obstacles put up by the Venezuelan military, on Maduro's orders.

Volunteer groups have already begun meeting in so-called "humanitarian camps" in several Venezuelan states to organize and prepare for the arrival of aid. Sometimes working under awnings or tents, doctors, nurses, dentists and paediatricians have attended to local residents in need.

An imploding economy has driven an estimated 2.3 Venezuelans to migrate, while 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.

'Humanitarian avalanche'&nbsp;

"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.

Coromoto Crespo, 58, told AFP he volunteered because of the urgent need for supplies.

"To find medicines requires a miracle. I need tablets for high blood pressure, and what I find, I can't pay for," Crespo said.

"One of my relatives died because of a lack of antibiotics."

Andrea Hernandez, a physical therapy student whose mother is a pediatric nurse who was also volunteering, 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.

Another woman, who went by Jessenia, added she took advantage of a roving dentist's office to finally get the treatment she was otherwise unable to afford for her son who had cavities.

US senator arrives&nbsp;

US Senator Marco Rubio, meanwhile, 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.

Guaido, in a tweet, thanked Rubio for his "noble effort to achieve humanitarian aid."

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 centre for Brazilian aid will open Monday on the border, Guaido's team said.

Saturday's shipment was accompanied by a delegation led by Mark Green, head of the US Agency for International Development.&nbsp;

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.

Maduro has poured scorn on the aid, spurning it as &nbsp;"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.

On another front, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza confirmed having held two meetings with special US envoy Elliott Abrams. Arreaza, who travelled to New York on February 13, said he held the talks with Abrams at the request of the State Department. He declined to comment on the substance of their discussions.

Guaido repeated his call on Venezuela's military -- whose support for Maduro has been crucial -- to let the aid pass.

He also 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.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido set a goal Sunday 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.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido set a goal Sunday 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. Guaido has given February 23 — one month to the day after he proclaimed himself acting president — as the date for a showdown over the aid with the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Food supplies, hygiene kits and nutritional supplements have been stockpiled near the Venezuelan border in Cucuta, Colombia. Additional storage centres 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, but Guaido has kept to himself how he plans to overcome the obstacles put up by the Venezuelan military, on Maduro's orders. Volunteer groups have already begun meeting in so-called "humanitarian camps" in several Venezuelan states to organize and prepare for the arrival of aid. Sometimes working under awnings or tents, doctors, nurses, dentists and paediatricians have attended to local residents in need. An imploding economy has driven an estimated 2.3 Venezuelans to migrate, while 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. 'Humanitarian avalanche' "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. Coromoto Crespo, 58, told AFP he volunteered because of the urgent need for supplies. "To find medicines requires a miracle. I need tablets for high blood pressure, and what I find, I can't pay for," Crespo said. "One of my relatives died because of a lack of antibiotics." Andrea Hernandez, a physical therapy student whose mother is a pediatric nurse who was also volunteering, 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. Another woman, who went by Jessenia, added she took advantage of a roving dentist's office to finally get the treatment she was otherwise unable to afford for her son who had cavities. US senator arrives US Senator Marco Rubio, meanwhile, 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. Guaido, in a tweet, thanked Rubio for his "noble effort to achieve humanitarian aid." 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 centre for Brazilian aid will open Monday on the border, Guaido's team said. Saturday's shipment was accompanied by a delegation led by Mark Green, head of the US Agency for International Development. 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. Maduro has poured scorn on the aid, spurning it 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. On another front, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza confirmed having held two meetings with special US envoy Elliott Abrams. Arreaza, who travelled to New York on February 13, said he held the talks with Abrams at the request of the State Department. He declined to comment on the substance of their discussions. Guaido repeated his call on Venezuela's military -- whose support for Maduro has been crucial -- to let the aid pass. He also 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.

As government blocks aid, Venezuela's Juan Guaido calls for 'million volunteers'

Thousands of volunteers in Venezuela will begin mobilising on Sunday to bring American aid into their crisis-hit country despite a blockade by President Nicolas Maduro who claims the assistance could be cover for a US invasion.

Once-wealthy Venezuela is gripped by a power struggle between socialist leader Maduro and Juan Guaido, the head of the National Assembly who proclaimed himself interim president last month and now has the backing of more than 50 countries.&nbsp;

But even as the political battle pitting Guaido against Maduro continued to deepen, Caracas confirmed talks had taken place with an envoy for US President Donald Trump's administration.

The oil-rich country's economic meltdown under Maduro has left millions in poverty facing shortages of medicine and food, with hyperinflation making purchases impossible.

US aid that has been piling up in the Colombian border town of Cucuta has become the frontline of the confrontation between Guaido and Maduro.

"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.

The throng included doctors, nurses and students.

Six hundred thousand people have registered to help bring aid in through border points, Guaido told the Caracas rally, asking the volunteers to meet in town councils on Sunday to get instructions about the process.

Without revealing details that could jeopardize the operation, Guaido said volunteer brigades will travel in a bus caravan to entry points for the aid which he wants to come in next Saturday.

Coromoto Crespo, 58, told AFP he volunteered because of the urgent need for supplies.

"To find medicines requires a miracle. I need tablets for high blood pressure, and what I find, I can't pay for," Crespo said.

"One of my relatives died because of a lack of antibiotics."

Guaido has targeted February 23 for entry of the aid, more of which arrived for the stockpile on Saturday. Three US military cargo planes delivered several dozen more tons (tonnes) of food assistance to Cucuta.&nbsp;

Another US aircraft is due in the Caribbean island of Curacao from Miami on Tuesday, and a collection centre for Brazilian aid will open Monday on the border, Guaido's team said.

The US shipment Saturday was accompanied by a delegation led by Mark Green, head of the US Agency for International Development.&nbsp;

US assistance has been blocked by containers which Maduro loyalists placed on a border bridge to prevent access.

On another front, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza confirmed having held two meetings with special US envoy Elliott Abrams. Arreaza, who traveled to New York on February 13, said he held the talks with Abrams at the request of the State Department. He declined to comment on the substance of their discussions.

Guaido repeated his call on Venezuela's military -- whose support for Maduro has been crucial -- to let the aid pass.

"You have, in your hands, the possibility of fighting alongside the people who are suffering the same shortages you are," Guaido said in a tweet addressed to soldiers.

A State Department spokeswoman, Julie Chung, issued a similar plea during a news conference in Cucuta, urging the military to stand aside at a time when Venezuelans are "dying of hunger."&nbsp;

'Crumbs' and 'rotten food'

Maduro asserts that aid could be used as a way for the United States to invade. He called for reinforced border security and dismissed the arriving "crumbs" as "rotten and contaminated food."

On Friday Maduro instructed his army to prepare a "special deployment plan" for the 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border with Colombia. He said he would examine "what new forces" might be needed to keep the frontier "inviolable."&nbsp;

Maduro has assailed the US aid as a "show" but Arreaza said he would be willing to meet with "the devil" if it helped ensure Venezuelan sovereignty.

About 2.3 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015 as the crisis intensified, according to the United Nations.

Guaido accuses Maduro of being a "usurper" over his controversial reelection last year in polls widely branded as fraudulent.

Maduro, the hand-picked successor to socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez, blames Venezuela's woes on US sanctions, more of which were added on Friday.

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.

"We paid for it with our own money because we're beggars to no one," Maduro said.

Thousands of volunteers in Venezuela will begin mobilising on Sunday to bring American aid into their crisis-hit country despite a blockade by President Nicolas Maduro who claims the assistance could be cover for a US invasion.

Thousands of volunteers in Venezuela will begin mobilising on Sunday to bring American aid into their crisis-hit country despite a blockade by President Nicolas Maduro who claims the assistance could be cover for a US invasion. Once-wealthy Venezuela is gripped by a power struggle between socialist leader Maduro and Juan Guaido, the head of the National Assembly who proclaimed himself interim president last month and now has the backing of more than 50 countries. But even as the political battle pitting Guaido against Maduro continued to deepen, Caracas confirmed talks had taken place with an envoy for US President Donald Trump's administration. The oil-rich country's economic meltdown under Maduro has left millions in poverty facing shortages of medicine and food, with hyperinflation making purchases impossible. US aid that has been piling up in the Colombian border town of Cucuta has become the frontline of the confrontation between Guaido and Maduro. "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. The throng included doctors, nurses and students. Six hundred thousand people have registered to help bring aid in through border points, Guaido told the Caracas rally, asking the volunteers to meet in town councils on Sunday to get instructions about the process. Without revealing details that could jeopardize the operation, Guaido said volunteer brigades will travel in a bus caravan to entry points for the aid which he wants to come in next Saturday. Coromoto Crespo, 58, told AFP he volunteered because of the urgent need for supplies. "To find medicines requires a miracle. I need tablets for high blood pressure, and what I find, I can't pay for," Crespo said. "One of my relatives died because of a lack of antibiotics." Guaido has targeted February 23 for entry of the aid, more of which arrived for the stockpile on Saturday. Three US military cargo planes delivered several dozen more tons (tonnes) of food assistance to Cucuta. Another US aircraft is due in the Caribbean island of Curacao from Miami on Tuesday, and a collection centre for Brazilian aid will open Monday on the border, Guaido's team said. The US shipment Saturday was accompanied by a delegation led by Mark Green, head of the US Agency for International Development. US assistance has been blocked by containers which Maduro loyalists placed on a border bridge to prevent access. On another front, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza confirmed having held two meetings with special US envoy Elliott Abrams. Arreaza, who traveled to New York on February 13, said he held the talks with Abrams at the request of the State Department. He declined to comment on the substance of their discussions. Guaido repeated his call on Venezuela's military -- whose support for Maduro has been crucial -- to let the aid pass. "You have, in your hands, the possibility of fighting alongside the people who are suffering the same shortages you are," Guaido said in a tweet addressed to soldiers. A State Department spokeswoman, Julie Chung, issued a similar plea during a news conference in Cucuta, urging the military to stand aside at a time when Venezuelans are "dying of hunger." 'Crumbs' and 'rotten food' Maduro asserts that aid could be used as a way for the United States to invade. He called for reinforced border security and dismissed the arriving "crumbs" as "rotten and contaminated food." On Friday Maduro instructed his army to prepare a "special deployment plan" for the 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border with Colombia. He said he would examine "what new forces" might be needed to keep the frontier "inviolable." Maduro has assailed the US aid as a "show" but Arreaza said he would be willing to meet with "the devil" if it helped ensure Venezuelan sovereignty. About 2.3 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015 as the crisis intensified, according to the United Nations. Guaido accuses Maduro of being a "usurper" over his controversial reelection last year in polls widely branded as fraudulent. Maduro, the hand-picked successor to socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez, blames Venezuela's woes on US sanctions, more of which were added on Friday. 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. "We paid for it with our own money because we're beggars to no one," Maduro said.

Thousands of Venezuela volunteers begin preparing US aid entry

The United States ratcheted up pressure on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-blasts-us-for-stealing-billions-and-offering-crumbs-197688">Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro</a> on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border.

The US Treasury said it sanctioned PDVSA chief Manuel Quevedo, three top intelligence officials and Rafael Bastardo, who US officials say is the head of a national police unit responsible for dozens of extrajudicial killings carried out in nighttime raids on Maduro's behalf.

Separately, the US State Department said on Friday it was working with the Pentagon and US aid agency to fly humanitarian assistance on Saturday to Cucuta, Colombia, on the Venezuelan border.

The steps are part of a wider effort by the United States to undermine Maduro, whose 2018 election it views as illegitimate and whose government it has disavowed, and to strengthen opposition leader and self-declared president Juan Guaido.

Quevedo said on Twitter the Venezuelan officials were being sanctioned for guaranteeing peace, building homes and condemning the "coup and military plan of the United States, its allies" and Guaido.

US&nbsp;military aircraft were expected to deliver more than 200 tons of humanitarian aid to the border town, a US&nbsp;official said. The United States already has pre-positioned some relief supplies in Colombia and is coordinating with Guaido to mobilize aid for Venezuelans, a State Department spokeswoman said.

It was unclear whether any of the US&nbsp;aid being ferried to Colombia would reach Venezuelans.

Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse in the oil-rich country that has left millions struggling to buy food and medicine and fuelled an unprecedented migration crisis in the region, has refused to allow supplies in.

"This man Maduro has created a humanitarian crisis," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters in Reykjavik. "As soon as this weekend we will continue to deliver massive humanitarian assistance. Hopefully, Mr Maduro will allow that into his country."

The aid convoy dispatched by the United States and Colombia arrived in Cucuta last week, where it is being held in warehouses.

US President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton worked to undermine Maduro on Friday, saying economic and political pressure was squeezing his top government officials and claiming without offering any evidence that "a clear majority, maybe almost all of them" were talking to the opposition about supporting Guaido or leaving the country.

Bolton appeared to confirm reports that Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza met in New York with US special envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams, and suggested Maduro should ask himself what they talked about.

Bolton also said he thought "Russia and China are hedging" their support for Maduro because of concern about the Maduro government's indebtedness to Moscow and Beijing.

Guaido invoked constitutional provisions to declare himself interim president last month, arguing that Maduro's 2018 re-election was a sham. Most Western countries, including the United States and many of Venezuela's neighbours, have recognised Guaido as the legitimate head of state.

Maduro retains the backing of Russia and China and control of Venezuelan state institutions including the military.

The US Treasury took aim at some of Maduro's allies with its sanctions on Friday.

"We are sanctioning officials in charge of Maduro's security and intelligence apparatus, which has systematically violated human rights and suppressed democracy, including through torture," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

Also targeted was Ivan Hernandez, commander of Maduro's Presidential Guard, which Treasury says has tortured Maduro's opponents and carried out other human rights abuses.

Manuel Cristopher, director general of Venezuela's Sebin intelligence agency, and Hildemaro Rodriguez, first commissioner of the service, also were sanctioned.

The Treasury's action freezes all property in the United States belonging to the five sanctioned officials as well as that of any entities in which they own 50 per cent or more.

In a sign that the Trump administration may be trying to split the men from Maduro, the Treasury Department noted in its statement that "US sanctions need not to be permanent; sanctions are intended to bring about a positive change of behaviour."

"The United States has made clear that we will consider lifting sanctions for persons ... who take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order, refuse to take part in human rights abuses, speak out against abuses committed by the government, and combat corruption in Venezuela," it said.

The United States ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border.

The United States ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border. The US Treasury said it sanctioned PDVSA chief Manuel Quevedo, three top intelligence officials and Rafael Bastardo, who US officials say is the head of a national police unit responsible for dozens of extrajudicial killings carried out in nighttime raids on Maduro's behalf. Separately, the US State Department said on Friday it was working with the Pentagon and US aid agency to fly humanitarian assistance on Saturday to Cucuta, Colombia, on the Venezuelan border. The steps are part of a wider effort by the United States to undermine Maduro, whose 2018 election it views as illegitimate and whose government it has disavowed, and to strengthen opposition leader and self-declared president Juan Guaido. Quevedo said on Twitter the Venezuelan officials were being sanctioned for guaranteeing peace, building homes and condemning the "coup and military plan of the United States, its allies" and Guaido. US military aircraft were expected to deliver more than 200 tons of humanitarian aid to the border town, a US official said. The United States already has pre-positioned some relief supplies in Colombia and is coordinating with Guaido to mobilize aid for Venezuelans, a State Department spokeswoman said. It was unclear whether any of the US aid being ferried to Colombia would reach Venezuelans. Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse in the oil-rich country that has left millions struggling to buy food and medicine and fuelled an unprecedented migration crisis in the region, has refused to allow supplies in. "This man Maduro has created a humanitarian crisis," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters in Reykjavik. "As soon as this weekend we will continue to deliver massive humanitarian assistance. Hopefully, Mr Maduro will allow that into his country." The aid convoy dispatched by the United States and Colombia arrived in Cucuta last week, where it is being held in warehouses. US President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton worked to undermine Maduro on Friday, saying economic and political pressure was squeezing his top government officials and claiming without offering any evidence that "a clear majority, maybe almost all of them" were talking to the opposition about supporting Guaido or leaving the country. Bolton appeared to confirm reports that Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza met in New York with US special envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams, and suggested Maduro should ask himself what they talked about. Bolton also said he thought "Russia and China are hedging" their support for Maduro because of concern about the Maduro government's indebtedness to Moscow and Beijing. Guaido invoked constitutional provisions to declare himself interim president last month, arguing that Maduro's 2018 re-election was a sham. Most Western countries, including the United States and many of Venezuela's neighbours, have recognised Guaido as the legitimate head of state. Maduro retains the backing of Russia and China and control of Venezuelan state institutions including the military. The US Treasury took aim at some of Maduro's allies with its sanctions on Friday. "We are sanctioning officials in charge of Maduro's security and intelligence apparatus, which has systematically violated human rights and suppressed democracy, including through torture," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. Also targeted was Ivan Hernandez, commander of Maduro's Presidential Guard, which Treasury says has tortured Maduro's opponents and carried out other human rights abuses. Manuel Cristopher, director general of Venezuela's Sebin intelligence agency, and Hildemaro Rodriguez, first commissioner of the service, also were sanctioned. The Treasury's action freezes all property in the United States belonging to the five sanctioned officials as well as that of any entities in which they own 50 per cent or more. In a sign that the Trump administration may be trying to split the men from Maduro, the Treasury Department noted in its statement that "US sanctions need not to be permanent; sanctions are intended to bring about a positive change of behaviour." "The United States has made clear that we will consider lifting sanctions for persons ... who take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order, refuse to take part in human rights abuses, speak out against abuses committed by the government, and combat corruption in Venezuela," it said.

US raises pressure on Venezuela's Maduro via sanctions, aid airlift

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-russia-dozens-of-countries-promise-to-defend-maduro-at-un-197526">Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro</a> hit out at the United States on Friday for "stealing" billions of dollars and offering "crumbs" in return as humanitarian aid.

Tons of US aid is piling up in Colombia close to the border with Venezuela as opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to defy Maduro's efforts to block the supplies from entering the country.

"It's a booby trap, they're putting on a show with rotten and contaminated food," said Maduro, speaking at an event in the southeastern town of Ciudad Bolivar.

"They've stolen $30 billion and are offering four crumbs of rotten food," added the beleaguered socialist leader, referring to the United States.

Venezuela is in the midst of an economic crisis that has left millions in poverty and facing shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicine.

Guaido, who is recognized by 50 countries as the interim president, accuses Maduro of causing economic hardship through mismanagement.

Among those countries is Costa Rica, whose foreign affairs ministry on Friday gave three Maduro-appointed diplomats "60 calendar days" to leave the country.

Maduro meanwhile blames Venezuela's woes on US sanctions, claiming they have cost the country $30 billion.

The 56-year-old, the hand-picked successor to socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez, branded it the "war of the oligarchy."

US sanctions mostly target regime individuals and state oil company PDVSA, the government's main source of income.

Humanitarian aid has become a key issue in the power struggle between Maduro and Guaido.

The opposition leader, who last month declared himself acting president, has promised to bring in the aid on February 23.

Maduro refuses to let it in. And his loyal military has barricaded a border bridge between Venezuela and Colombia.

The socialist leader insists the aid is just a cover for a planned US military invasion, while Guaido says 300,000 people could die without the desperately-needed aid.

Speaking on Friday, Maduro said six million families had benefitted from subsidized food boxes and claimed to have bought 933 tons of medicines and medical supplies from China, Cuba and Russia, his main international allies.

"We paid for it with our own money because we're beggars to no one," he said.

Guaido accuses Maduro of being a "usurper" over his controversial reelection last year in polls widely branded fraudulent.

Maduro says the 35-year-old National Assembly speaker is a puppet to the US, which is trying to secure access to Venezuela's gold and vast oil reserves -- the largest in the world.

He said Guaido's challenge to his authority is "treason."

"The worst thing is stimulating the imperial madness of an extremist Ku Klux Klan government in the White House," said Maduro.

US national security advisor John Bolton announced on Thursday that 25 countries had "pledged $100 million in humanitarian assistance."

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro hit out at the United States on Friday for "stealing" billions of dollars and offering "crumbs" in return as humanitarian aid.

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro hit out at the United States on Friday for "stealing" billions of dollars and offering "crumbs" in return as humanitarian aid. Tons of US aid is piling up in Colombia close to the border with Venezuela as opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to defy Maduro's efforts to block the supplies from entering the country. "It's a booby trap, they're putting on a show with rotten and contaminated food," said Maduro, speaking at an event in the southeastern town of Ciudad Bolivar. "They've stolen $30 billion and are offering four crumbs of rotten food," added the beleaguered socialist leader, referring to the United States. Venezuela is in the midst of an economic crisis that has left millions in poverty and facing shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicine. Guaido, who is recognized by 50 countries as the interim president, accuses Maduro of causing economic hardship through mismanagement. Among those countries is Costa Rica, whose foreign affairs ministry on Friday gave three Maduro-appointed diplomats "60 calendar days" to leave the country. Maduro meanwhile blames Venezuela's woes on US sanctions, claiming they have cost the country $30 billion. The 56-year-old, the hand-picked successor to socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez, branded it the "war of the oligarchy." US sanctions mostly target regime individuals and state oil company PDVSA, the government's main source of income. Humanitarian aid has become a key issue in the power struggle between Maduro and Guaido. The opposition leader, who last month declared himself acting president, has promised to bring in the aid on February 23. Maduro refuses to let it in. And his loyal military has barricaded a border bridge between Venezuela and Colombia. The socialist leader insists the aid is just a cover for a planned US military invasion, while Guaido says 300,000 people could die without the desperately-needed aid. Speaking on Friday, Maduro said six million families had benefitted from subsidized food boxes and claimed to have bought 933 tons of medicines and medical supplies from China, Cuba and Russia, his main international allies. "We paid for it with our own money because we're beggars to no one," he said. Guaido accuses Maduro of being a "usurper" over his controversial reelection last year in polls widely branded fraudulent. Maduro says the 35-year-old National Assembly speaker is a puppet to the US, which is trying to secure access to Venezuela's gold and vast oil reserves -- the largest in the world. He said Guaido's challenge to his authority is "treason." "The worst thing is stimulating the imperial madness of an extremist Ku Klux Klan government in the White House," said Maduro. US national security advisor John Bolton announced on Thursday that 25 countries had "pledged $100 million in humanitarian assistance."

Venezuela's Maduro blasts US for 'stealing' billions and offering 'crumbs'

US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence pressed European countries on Saturday&nbsp;to withdraw from a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-us-hit-by-hysteria-since-dropping-nuclear-deal-189680">nuclear deal </a>between Iran and major powers and urged them to be wary of using telecoms equipment supplied by Chinese provider Huawei.

"The time has come for all of us to act. The time has come for our European partners to stop undermining US sanctions against this murderous, revolutionary regime. The time has come for our European partners to stand with us, and with the Iranian people, our allies and friends in the region," Pence said.

"The time has come for our European partners to withdraw from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-sticking-to-nuclear-deal-conditions-iaea-176925">Iran nuclear deal</a> and join us as we bring the economic and diplomatic pressure necessary to give the Iranian people, the region, and the world, the peace, security and freedom they deserve."

He also called for the European Union must to recognise <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-raises-pressure-on-venezuelas-maduro-via-sanctions-aid-airlift-197708">Venezuelan</a> congress leader Juan Guaido as the president of the South American country, pressing not just individual European governments but the bloc as a whole.

"We call on the European Union to step forward for freedom and recognise Juan Guaido as the only legitimate president of Venezuela," Pence said.

Pence said Guaido, who has declared himself interim leader and has won the US&nbsp;and international support to replace <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-blasts-us-for-stealing-billions-and-offering-crumbs-197688">Nicolas Maduro</a>, deserved that "the rest of the world" recognise him, and called Maduro a dictator who must step down.

The audience at the speech included the largest American delegation to ever attend the Munich Security Conference. 
&nbsp;

US Vice President Mike Pence pressed European countries on Saturday to withdraw from a nuclear deal between Iran and major powers and urged them to be wary of using telecoms equipment supplied by Chinese provider Huawei.

US Vice President Mike Pence pressed European countries on Saturday to withdraw from a nuclear deal between Iran and major powers and urged them to be wary of using telecoms equipment supplied by Chinese provider Huawei. "The time has come for all of us to act. The time has come for our European partners to stop undermining US sanctions against this murderous, revolutionary regime. The time has come for our European partners to stand with us, and with the Iranian people, our allies and friends in the region," Pence said. "The time has come for our European partners to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and join us as we bring the economic and diplomatic pressure necessary to give the Iranian people, the region, and the world, the peace, security and freedom they deserve." He also called for the European Union must to recognise Venezuelan congress leader Juan Guaido as the president of the South American country, pressing not just individual European governments but the bloc as a whole. "We call on the European Union to step forward for freedom and recognise Juan Guaido as the only legitimate president of Venezuela," Pence said. Pence said Guaido, who has declared himself interim leader and has won the US and international support to replace Nicolas Maduro, deserved that "the rest of the world" recognise him, and called Maduro a dictator who must step down. The audience at the speech included the largest American delegation to ever attend the Munich Security Conference.

Pence calls for EU to leave Iran nuclear deal, recognise Guaido as Venezuelan president

China, Russia and several dozen other countries on Thursday committed themselves at the United Nations to defend the Venezuelan government of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/maduro-making-terrible-mistake-by-not-allowing-aid-to-enter-venezuela-trump-197250">Nicolas Maduro</a> in the face of moves by the United States.

Surrounded by representatives of many of those nations, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza presented a declaration in which that coalition denounced the violation of basic UN principles such as the respect for national sovereignty and criticized Washington's sanctions and threats against the Maduro regime.

"In the coming days we will begin a series of actions as a group to raise awareness regarding the dangers that are currently confronting our peoples and, especially, the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," Arreaza stated, reading directly from the document.

When asked about the situation, the Venezuelan foreign minister refused to divulge what measures were being contemplated, but he emphasized that Caracas and its supporting nations will seek "coordinated" action at all levels of the UN.

Russia and China are permanent members of the UN Security Council and thus have the ability to veto any initiative put forward by the US and/or its allies in that body.

Accompanying the Maduro regime's top diplomat were the UN ambassadors of Cuba, Nicaragua, Iran, Syria and Palestine.

"We are organizing to defend the right of peoples to live in healthy peace, to coexist in accord with the principles of international law, which are being violated in a flagrant and open manner and - in the case of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela - at this time in the most notorious way they can be violated," Arreaza said.

Once again, he attacked the US sanctions imposed on Caracas and other countries emphasizing that Washington has no "moral ... authority to impose sanctions on anyone."

In addition, he charged that the US is threatening to use military force against his nation and stressed that "Venezuela is a sovereign" country and will protect "every millimetre of (its) territory."

"The response that we will give in every situation will be proportional and appropriate to any type of attack or interference that may be made," Arreaza declared.

Russia's UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzia, told reporters that Moscow is very concerned about the possibility that "military action" might be considered against Venezuela.

This week, Arreaza has held meetings at the UN to seek support for his government in the face of the crisis Venezuela is experiencing.

Tension within Venezuela increased markedly starting on January 23, when the head of the country's opposition-controlled Parliament, Juan Guaido, proclaimed himself interim president, given that he and the rest of the opposition consider Maduro to be an illegitimate leader after he won a "fraudulent" election last May in which opposition candidates were barred from running against him.

Guaido's move accelerated the political crisis in the South American nation, with a good portion of the international community - including the US, some 20 European nations and a number of key Latin American countries - backing the interim leader and pressuring for the holding of free and fair elections.

China, Russia and several dozen other countries on Thursday committed themselves at the United Nations to defend the Venezuelan government of Nicolas Maduro in the face of moves by the United States.

China, Russia and several dozen other countries on Thursday committed themselves at the United Nations to defend the Venezuelan government of Nicolas Maduro in the face of moves by the United States. Surrounded by representatives of many of those nations, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza presented a declaration in which that coalition denounced the violation of basic UN principles such as the respect for national sovereignty and criticized Washington's sanctions and threats against the Maduro regime. "In the coming days we will begin a series of actions as a group to raise awareness regarding the dangers that are currently confronting our peoples and, especially, the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," Arreaza stated, reading directly from the document. When asked about the situation, the Venezuelan foreign minister refused to divulge what measures were being contemplated, but he emphasized that Caracas and its supporting nations will seek "coordinated" action at all levels of the UN. Russia and China are permanent members of the UN Security Council and thus have the ability to veto any initiative put forward by the US and/or its allies in that body. Accompanying the Maduro regime's top diplomat were the UN ambassadors of Cuba, Nicaragua, Iran, Syria and Palestine. "We are organizing to defend the right of peoples to live in healthy peace, to coexist in accord with the principles of international law, which are being violated in a flagrant and open manner and - in the case of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela - at this time in the most notorious way they can be violated," Arreaza said. Once again, he attacked the US sanctions imposed on Caracas and other countries emphasizing that Washington has no "moral ... authority to impose sanctions on anyone." In addition, he charged that the US is threatening to use military force against his nation and stressed that "Venezuela is a sovereign" country and will protect "every millimetre of (its) territory." "The response that we will give in every situation will be proportional and appropriate to any type of attack or interference that may be made," Arreaza declared. Russia's UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzia, told reporters that Moscow is very concerned about the possibility that "military action" might be considered against Venezuela. This week, Arreaza has held meetings at the UN to seek support for his government in the face of the crisis Venezuela is experiencing. Tension within Venezuela increased markedly starting on January 23, when the head of the country's opposition-controlled Parliament, Juan Guaido, proclaimed himself interim president, given that he and the rest of the opposition consider Maduro to be an illegitimate leader after he won a "fraudulent" election last May in which opposition candidates were barred from running against him. Guaido's move accelerated the political crisis in the South American nation, with a good portion of the international community - including the US, some 20 European nations and a number of key Latin American countries - backing the interim leader and pressuring for the holding of free and fair elections.

China, Russia, dozens of countries promise to defend Maduro at UN

Twenty-five countries have pledged $100 million in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-enlists-50-countries-at-un-to-show-support-197489">aid to Venezuela</a>, a top US official said Thursday, as the crisis-hit country's Supreme Court took aim at oil executives appointed by the opposition.

Venezuela is plagued by hyperinflation and major shortages of basic goods, and two men -- <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/showdown-looms-as-venezuelan-opposition-leader-guaido-sets-aid-entry-date-197058">opposition leader Juan Guaido</a> and President Nicolas Maduro -- are vying for control of the country.

The United States is among more than 50 countries that have recognized Guaido as interim president, but Maduro -- backed by the country's military as well as Russia, China and dozens of other states -- has so far refused to relinquish his office.

US national security advisor John Bolton made the announcement on the aid pledged to Venezuela following an Organization of American States conference on assisting the country.

"Today, 25 countries, united at the OAS-hosted Conference on Humanitarian Assistance in Support of Venezuela pledged $100 million in humanitarian assistance," Bolton tweeted.

According to David Smolanksy, coordinator of an OAS working group on migration and refugees from Venezuela, the money will go directly to aid collection centres set up on the borders with Colombia and Brazil and on the Caribbean island of Curazao.

At the opening of the conference in Washington, Guaido's representative in the United States, Carlos Vecchio, said the priority is to get aid into Venezuela on February 23 -- a month after Guaido declared himself Venezuela's interim president.

Blockade at the border&nbsp;

Guaido and Maduro have been locked in a battle over allowing aid into the country, and the military reinforced a blockade on Thursday at the border with Colombia, where the opposition leader has vowed to bring in desperately-needed goods.

AFP journalists saw several new freight containers blocking the road that connects the town of Urena in Venezuela to Cucuta in Colombia, where tons of US aid has been piling up for a week.

Venezuela is enduring the biggest economic crisis in its modern history, with hyperinflation predicted to hit 10 million per cent this year according to the International Monetary Fund.

On Wednesday, the opposition-controlled National Assembly -- which is headed by Guaido -- appointed executives to form new boards for Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA and its US-based affiliate Citgo.

Venezuela's Supreme Court took aim at the move the following day, ordering that the new appointees face criminal prosecution.

The high court -- which is packed with Maduro loyalists -- ruled that the executives were named by a legislature whose decisions are "null," and that the appointees should face prosecution for crimes including "usurpation," "corruption," "organized crime" and "terrorism."

The Supreme Court decision set in motion the process of extraditing the accused, most of whom are in the United States, and freezing their accounts.

Guaido celebrated the appointments as a "step forward in the reconstruction of PDVSA," but Maduro had warned that those accepting "illegal" appointments would face justice.

The United States, which is leading the push to topple Maduro, has sanctioned key regime financial assets including the Citgo subsidiary, and President Donald Trump has refused to rule out military action against the leftist leader.

Twenty-five countries have pledged $100 million in aid to Venezuela, a top US official said Thursday, as the crisis-hit country's Supreme Court took aim at oil executives appointed by the opposition.

Twenty-five countries have pledged $100 million in aid to Venezuela, a top US official said Thursday, as the crisis-hit country's Supreme Court took aim at oil executives appointed by the opposition. Venezuela is plagued by hyperinflation and major shortages of basic goods, and two men -- opposition leader Juan Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro -- are vying for control of the country. The United States is among more than 50 countries that have recognized Guaido as interim president, but Maduro -- backed by the country's military as well as Russia, China and dozens of other states -- has so far refused to relinquish his office. US national security advisor John Bolton made the announcement on the aid pledged to Venezuela following an Organization of American States conference on assisting the country. "Today, 25 countries, united at the OAS-hosted Conference on Humanitarian Assistance in Support of Venezuela pledged $100 million in humanitarian assistance," Bolton tweeted. According to David Smolanksy, coordinator of an OAS working group on migration and refugees from Venezuela, the money will go directly to aid collection centres set up on the borders with Colombia and Brazil and on the Caribbean island of Curazao. At the opening of the conference in Washington, Guaido's representative in the United States, Carlos Vecchio, said the priority is to get aid into Venezuela on February 23 -- a month after Guaido declared himself Venezuela's interim president. Blockade at the border Guaido and Maduro have been locked in a battle over allowing aid into the country, and the military reinforced a blockade on Thursday at the border with Colombia, where the opposition leader has vowed to bring in desperately-needed goods. AFP journalists saw several new freight containers blocking the road that connects the town of Urena in Venezuela to Cucuta in Colombia, where tons of US aid has been piling up for a week. Venezuela is enduring the biggest economic crisis in its modern history, with hyperinflation predicted to hit 10 million per cent this year according to the International Monetary Fund. On Wednesday, the opposition-controlled National Assembly -- which is headed by Guaido -- appointed executives to form new boards for Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA and its US-based affiliate Citgo. Venezuela's Supreme Court took aim at the move the following day, ordering that the new appointees face criminal prosecution. The high court -- which is packed with Maduro loyalists -- ruled that the executives were named by a legislature whose decisions are "null," and that the appointees should face prosecution for crimes including "usurpation," "corruption," "organized crime" and "terrorism." The Supreme Court decision set in motion the process of extraditing the accused, most of whom are in the United States, and freezing their accounts. Guaido celebrated the appointments as a "step forward in the reconstruction of PDVSA," but Maduro had warned that those accepting "illegal" appointments would face justice. The United States, which is leading the push to topple Maduro, has sanctioned key regime financial assets including the Citgo subsidiary, and President Donald Trump has refused to rule out military action against the leftist leader.

25 countries pledge $100 million in humanitarian aid to crisis-hit Venezuela

By Pia Riggirozzi 
 
Long before the current crisis in Venezuela, democracy in Latin America was a damaged project. Military coups d’etat and other violent seizures of power in the 1960s and 1970s were followed by weak attempts at redemocratisation. Efforts to institutionalise social rights, particularly those based on state intervention in the economy, provoked a hostile reaction from domestic and foreign markets.

Democratic attempts often faced hurdles caused by profound socio-economic restructuring and severe cuts in public spending – with national budgets linked closely to the global economy. Democracy was also highly dependent on markets.

During the 1980s, oil prices fell dramatically. In Venezuela, debt then skyrocketed, giving way to a dramatic political and economic crisis that was exacerbated by blatant corruption.

Then in 1998, Hugo Chávez was elected president – but with no fixed strategy of what an “anti-capitalist project” might entail. Instead, he took power at the end of a decade that had seen a catastrophic deterioration in living standards and the monopoly of conservative political parties.

Chávez was elected on his pledge to refound the republic in line with the vision of Simon Bolivar, who had liberated Venezuela from Spanish rule in the early 19th century. And for Chávez, over more than a decade his experiments seemed to work.

According to the World Bank, his social, political and economic reforms led to a spectacular 50 per cent reduction of poverty, and a 65 per cent drop in “extreme poverty” between 1998 and 2012.

These gains were mirrored by Venezuela’s neighbours, with Latin America successfully reducing poverty and promoting shared prosperity. The proportion of the region’s 600m people living in extreme poverty (defined as a daily income of less than $2.50) was cut in half between 2003 and 2012 to around 12 per cent.

In Venezuela, post-neoliberalism as a project (committed to the creation of non-market societies, economies and cultures) remained highly dependent on the oil bonanza, accumulating reserves which supported the use (and abuse) of social welfare regimes. Yet as it became increasingly caught in the international oil industry downturn, so too did the post-neoliberal project.

A state that failed the people

The halving of the oil price in 2014 sharply reversed the advances made in reducing poverty and inequality. Fatal food and medicines shortages, disease outbreaks and widespread social deprivation spiralled into an unprecedented social and economic crisis.

Now, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), nearly 90 per cent of Venezuelans live in poverty – a dramatic increase from an already alarming 48 per cent in 2014.

It would be politically naive to think that the promise of democracy in Venezuela was vulnerable purely because of an over-reliance on volatile oil industry. That was undoubtedly a fatal flaw, but Venezuela also failed to reconcile a deeply polarised society.

Since his election as president in 2013, Nicolás Maduro has failed to address chronic problems of economic mismanagement, poor planning, increasing social discontent, and corruption. His country has since undergone cycles of protest and repression that reinforced the social divide.

Human rights violations became systematic. There have been well-documented restrictions on social protest and freedom of expression, with extrajudicial detentions and arbitrary arrests of opponents. On top of this, a devastating humanitarian crisis has seen an exodus to neighbouring countries - Brazil and Colombia – in a scale never seen before. The number of arrivals from Venezuela to neighbouring countries has steadily increased, reaching 5,000 per day in early 2018.

To some, Venezuela had become a failed state, without the basic norms of democratic governance. Then on January 23 2019, Juan Guaidó, leader of the Venezuelan National Assembly, declared himself president of the republic.

Guaidó has long been an anti-government activist, but until recently was little known around the world – or even in Venezuela. Yet his move was quickly endorsed by several Latin American countries, as well as Canada and the United States. His self-claim to the presidency is quite problematic too: it draws legitimacy from “assertive politics” rather than from a direct democratic ballot. The end apparently justifies the means.

Power grab?

The argument seems to be that Maduro has ruined the Venezuelan economy, violated human rights of all sorts, repeatedly challenged the Venezuelan constitution himself, and was not freely or fairly re-elected in 2018.

Guaidó, therefore, alleges that Maduro “stole” power and the role of president has therefore been left vacant.

Meanwhile, the president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, said the Venezuelan people have had “enough of the hunger and abuse suffered at the hands of Maduro”. And the Trump administration asserts that all countries must “pick a side” and back the “forces of freedom”.

But can an opposition leader – albeit with the support of foreign powers – simply state that the president of the country is not actually the president, and take power himself? If he can, how would Venezuelans be reassured that removing the “bad” president will not simply legitimise more politics of this “assertive” kind.

So for the moment, the country has been plunged into a situation whereby it has an internationally recognised government which has no democratic mandate from the people or control over state functions - yet it runs parallel to Maduro’s parliament, with a de facto presidential mandate yet a delusional and dangerous sense of authority.

This is not democracy. What Venezuela urgently needs is to reconstruct the foundations of political legitimacy beyond declarations. It requires electoral democracy and political consensus that can genuinely represent the people, deliver development, and reconstruct a sense of citizenship and belonging for its people.

 
(Pia Riggirozzi is Professor of Global Politics, University of Southampton)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/venezuela-is-putting-democracy-and-its-legitimacy-to-test-111466">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

&nbsp;

By Pia Riggirozzi Long before the current crisis in Venezuela, democracy in Latin America was a damaged project. Military coups d’etat and other violent seizures of power in the 1960s and 1970s were followed by weak attempts at redemocratisation.

By Pia Riggirozzi Long before the current crisis in Venezuela, democracy in Latin America was a damaged project. Military coups d’etat and other violent seizures of power in the 1960s and 1970s were followed by weak attempts at redemocratisation. Efforts to institutionalise social rights, particularly those based on state intervention in the economy, provoked a hostile reaction from domestic and foreign markets. Democratic attempts often faced hurdles caused by profound socio-economic restructuring and severe cuts in public spending – with national budgets linked closely to the global economy. Democracy was also highly dependent on markets. During the 1980s, oil prices fell dramatically. In Venezuela, debt then skyrocketed, giving way to a dramatic political and economic crisis that was exacerbated by blatant corruption. Then in 1998, Hugo Chávez was elected president – but with no fixed strategy of what an “anti-capitalist project” might entail. Instead, he took power at the end of a decade that had seen a catastrophic deterioration in living standards and the monopoly of conservative political parties. Chávez was elected on his pledge to refound the republic in line with the vision of Simon Bolivar, who had liberated Venezuela from Spanish rule in the early 19th century. And for Chávez, over more than a decade his experiments seemed to work. According to the World Bank, his social, political and economic reforms led to a spectacular 50 per cent reduction of poverty, and a 65 per cent drop in “extreme poverty” between 1998 and 2012. These gains were mirrored by Venezuela’s neighbours, with Latin America successfully reducing poverty and promoting shared prosperity. The proportion of the region’s 600m people living in extreme poverty (defined as a daily income of less than $2.50) was cut in half between 2003 and 2012 to around 12 per cent. In Venezuela, post-neoliberalism as a project (committed to the creation of non-market societies, economies and cultures) remained highly dependent on the oil bonanza, accumulating reserves which supported the use (and abuse) of social welfare regimes. Yet as it became increasingly caught in the international oil industry downturn, so too did the post-neoliberal project. A state that failed the people The halving of the oil price in 2014 sharply reversed the advances made in reducing poverty and inequality. Fatal food and medicines shortages, disease outbreaks and widespread social deprivation spiralled into an unprecedented social and economic crisis. Now, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), nearly 90 per cent of Venezuelans live in poverty – a dramatic increase from an already alarming 48 per cent in 2014. It would be politically naive to think that the promise of democracy in Venezuela was vulnerable purely because of an over-reliance on volatile oil industry. That was undoubtedly a fatal flaw, but Venezuela also failed to reconcile a deeply polarised society. Since his election as president in 2013, Nicolás Maduro has failed to address chronic problems of economic mismanagement, poor planning, increasing social discontent, and corruption. His country has since undergone cycles of protest and repression that reinforced the social divide. Human rights violations became systematic. There have been well-documented restrictions on social protest and freedom of expression, with extrajudicial detentions and arbitrary arrests of opponents. On top of this, a devastating humanitarian crisis has seen an exodus to neighbouring countries - Brazil and Colombia – in a scale never seen before. The number of arrivals from Venezuela to neighbouring countries has steadily increased, reaching 5,000 per day in early 2018. To some, Venezuela had become a failed state, without the basic norms of democratic governance. Then on January 23 2019, Juan Guaidó, leader of the Venezuelan National Assembly, declared himself president of the republic. Guaidó has long been an anti-government activist, but until recently was little known around the world – or even in Venezuela. Yet his move was quickly endorsed by several Latin American countries, as well as Canada and the United States. His self-claim to the presidency is quite problematic too: it draws legitimacy from “assertive politics” rather than from a direct democratic ballot. The end apparently justifies the means. Power grab? The argument seems to be that Maduro has ruined the Venezuelan economy, violated human rights of all sorts, repeatedly challenged the Venezuelan constitution himself, and was not freely or fairly re-elected in 2018. Guaidó, therefore, alleges that Maduro “stole” power and the role of president has therefore been left vacant. Meanwhile, the president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, said the Venezuelan people have had “enough of the hunger and abuse suffered at the hands of Maduro”. And the Trump administration asserts that all countries must “pick a side” and back the “forces of freedom”. But can an opposition leader – albeit with the support of foreign powers – simply state that the president of the country is not actually the president, and take power himself? If he can, how would Venezuelans be reassured that removing the “bad” president will not simply legitimise more politics of this “assertive” kind. So for the moment, the country has been plunged into a situation whereby it has an internationally recognised government which has no democratic mandate from the people or control over state functions - yet it runs parallel to Maduro’s parliament, with a de facto presidential mandate yet a delusional and dangerous sense of authority. This is not democracy. What Venezuela urgently needs is to reconstruct the foundations of political legitimacy beyond declarations. It requires electoral democracy and political consensus that can genuinely represent the people, deliver development, and reconstruct a sense of citizenship and belonging for its people. (Pia Riggirozzi is Professor of Global Politics, University of Southampton) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Venezuela crisis: Can Juan Guaido state that Nicolas Maduro is not the president, and seize power himself?

Russia and China joined Cuba, Iran, North Korea and dozens of other countries at the United Nations on Thursday to show support for Venezuela in its showdown with the United States.

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told reporters the newly-formed support group of about 50 countries would take action in the coming days "to raise awareness around the dangers that our people currently face."&nbsp;

"We all have the right to live without the threat of use of force and without application of illegal coercive unilateral measures," Arreaza told journalists, flanked by the ambassadors of several countries.

Among those at Arreaza's side were envoys from Russia, China, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia, North Korea, Syria along with the Palestinian representative and diplomats from Caribbean countries.

Arreaza did not provide details of the planned action but called on all UN nations to "join us in defending international law as the only guarantor for humanity's peaceful coexistence".

The United Nations has been divided between countries that support Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president on January 23, and those who back President Nicolas Maduro.

The United States is leading a push to recognize Guaido, backed by about 50 countries.

Washington has sent aid to the Colombian border with Venezuela but Maduro's government has refused to let the shipments, accusing the United States of using the relief packages as a political tool aimed at regime change.&nbsp;

Declaring himself "sad" about the "turmoil" in Venezuela, President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded that Maduro unblock US aid shipments and has refused to rule out military action.

Venezuela's economy is in a tailspin marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities that the opposition blames on corruption and mismanagement by the Maduro government.

Caracas maintains that US sanctions are to blame for the economic meltdown.

Russia and China joined Cuba, Iran, North Korea and dozens of other countries at the United Nations on Thursday to show support for Venezuela in its showdown with the United States.

Russia and China joined Cuba, Iran, North Korea and dozens of other countries at the United Nations on Thursday to show support for Venezuela in its showdown with the United States. Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told reporters the newly-formed support group of about 50 countries would take action in the coming days "to raise awareness around the dangers that our people currently face." "We all have the right to live without the threat of use of force and without application of illegal coercive unilateral measures," Arreaza told journalists, flanked by the ambassadors of several countries. Among those at Arreaza's side were envoys from Russia, China, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia, North Korea, Syria along with the Palestinian representative and diplomats from Caribbean countries. Arreaza did not provide details of the planned action but called on all UN nations to "join us in defending international law as the only guarantor for humanity's peaceful coexistence". The United Nations has been divided between countries that support Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president on January 23, and those who back President Nicolas Maduro. The United States is leading a push to recognize Guaido, backed by about 50 countries. Washington has sent aid to the Colombian border with Venezuela but Maduro's government has refused to let the shipments, accusing the United States of using the relief packages as a political tool aimed at regime change. Declaring himself "sad" about the "turmoil" in Venezuela, President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded that Maduro unblock US aid shipments and has refused to rule out military action. Venezuela's economy is in a tailspin marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities that the opposition blames on corruption and mismanagement by the Maduro government. Caracas maintains that US sanctions are to blame for the economic meltdown.

Venezuela enlists 50 countries at UN to show support

President Donald Trump hosts his Colombian counterpart Ivan Duque at the White House on Wednesday to discuss their campaign to pressure Venezuela's far left president, Nicolas Maduro, from power.

The Trump-Duque talks in the Oval Office, followed by lunch, will give the allies a chance to compare notes just as the standoff between Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido heats up over the arrival of mostly US aid shipments.

Washington has thrown its full weight behind Guaido, recognizing him as interim president, demanding that Maduro step aside, imposing sanctions, and even threatening the "option" of military intervention.

Colombia plays a crucial role because it has taken in the lion's share of the more than two million Venezuelans fleeing chaos, poverty and political violence under Maduro.

Now, Colombia is the staging post for US and other foreign humanitarian aid that Maduro is refusing to allow in, saying it would be a precursor to US military action.

At a huge opposition rally on Tuesday, Guaido vowed "it's sure that the humanitarian aid will enter" on February 23. "We have almost 300,000 Venezuelans who will die if the aid doesn't enter."

Trump's hawkish national security advisor John Bolton on Wednesday tweeted that "Maduro would rather stand for tyranny than ... accept aid for the Venezuelan people."

Guaido has been recognized as interim president by 50 countries.

But Maduro, whose government has the financial and political backing of China and Russia, has so far resisted the intensifying US pressure, portraying himself in the mold of historic Latin American anti-imperialist leaders.

Moscow weighed in on Tuesday, with Foreign Minster Sergei Lavrov warning "against all interference in Venezuela's domestic affairs, including the use of force threatened by Washington."

Country in collapse

Venezuela has the world's biggest oil reserves but its once-thriving economy has fallen into ruin under the long-running leftist government.

Venezuelans face shortages of even basic necessities such as food and medicine and some 2.3 million people have fled since 2015, their salaries and savings rendered worthless by hyperinflation.

Maduro, who gets crucial backing from the country's powerful armed forces, denies there is a humanitarian emergency and has branded the crisis a "political show" and pretext for a US-led invasion.

Now, the focus of the struggle between Maduro and Guaido has turned to the aid shipments. Tons of aid are piling up in Colombian collection centers at the border.

On Tuesday, Guaido insisted that the border be opened.

"Here is a direct order to the armed forces: allow in the humanitarian aid once and for all (and) end the repression," he said.

Guaido's team has also met with Brazilian officials to set up a second aid storage center. The new right-wing government of President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, which took over in January after more than a decade of leftist rule there, has joined the coalition against Maduro.

President Donald Trump hosts his Colombian counterpart Ivan Duque at the White House on Wednesday to discuss their campaign to pressure Venezuela's far left president, Nicolas Maduro, from power.

President Donald Trump hosts his Colombian counterpart Ivan Duque at the White House on Wednesday to discuss their campaign to pressure Venezuela's far left president, Nicolas Maduro, from power. The Trump-Duque talks in the Oval Office, followed by lunch, will give the allies a chance to compare notes just as the standoff between Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido heats up over the arrival of mostly US aid shipments. Washington has thrown its full weight behind Guaido, recognizing him as interim president, demanding that Maduro step aside, imposing sanctions, and even threatening the "option" of military intervention. Colombia plays a crucial role because it has taken in the lion's share of the more than two million Venezuelans fleeing chaos, poverty and political violence under Maduro. Now, Colombia is the staging post for US and other foreign humanitarian aid that Maduro is refusing to allow in, saying it would be a precursor to US military action. At a huge opposition rally on Tuesday, Guaido vowed "it's sure that the humanitarian aid will enter" on February 23. "We have almost 300,000 Venezuelans who will die if the aid doesn't enter." Trump's hawkish national security advisor John Bolton on Wednesday tweeted that "Maduro would rather stand for tyranny than ... accept aid for the Venezuelan people." Guaido has been recognized as interim president by 50 countries. But Maduro, whose government has the financial and political backing of China and Russia, has so far resisted the intensifying US pressure, portraying himself in the mold of historic Latin American anti-imperialist leaders. Moscow weighed in on Tuesday, with Foreign Minster Sergei Lavrov warning "against all interference in Venezuela's domestic affairs, including the use of force threatened by Washington." Country in collapse Venezuela has the world's biggest oil reserves but its once-thriving economy has fallen into ruin under the long-running leftist government. Venezuelans face shortages of even basic necessities such as food and medicine and some 2.3 million people have fled since 2015, their salaries and savings rendered worthless by hyperinflation. Maduro, who gets crucial backing from the country's powerful armed forces, denies there is a humanitarian emergency and has branded the crisis a "political show" and pretext for a US-led invasion. Now, the focus of the struggle between Maduro and Guaido has turned to the aid shipments. Tons of aid are piling up in Colombian collection centers at the border. On Tuesday, Guaido insisted that the border be opened. "Here is a direct order to the armed forces: allow in the humanitarian aid once and for all (and) end the repression," he said. Guaido's team has also met with Brazilian officials to set up a second aid storage center. The new right-wing government of President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, which took over in January after more than a decade of leftist rule there, has joined the coalition against Maduro.

Trump, Colombian president meet over Venezuela crisis

Tens of thousands of opposition activists flooded the streets of Venezuela on Tuesday to demand the military allow in desperately-needed aid, as President Nicolas Maduro's supporters rallied against "imperialist intervention."

Opposition leader Juan Guaido called the Youth Day demonstrations to honour 40 people killed in anti-government rallies and press for the food and medicine to be brought into the economically-ravaged South American country.

While waiting for the National Assembly leader to speak in east Caracas, his supporters chanted: "Freedom!"

"We're asking the military authorities to let in the aid and to protect it so that it reaches those most in need," Juan Perez, 68, told AFP.

Guaido, who stunned the world on January 23 when he declared himself acting president, said the protest would "demand the entry of humanitarian aid that will save the lives of more than 300,000 Venezuelans." &nbsp;

Taking his authority from the constitution, Guaido says Maduro's presidency is "illegitimate" as it was founded on flawed elections.

He is trying to force the socialist leader from power so he can set up a transitional government and hold new presidential elections.

Maduro meanwhile called a march of young leftists in the centre of Caracas denouncing foreign intervention in Venezuela's affairs and collecting signatures of people who reject US President Donald Trump.

The fate of tons of aid piling up in Colombian collection centres at the border with Venezuela has become central to the power struggle between Guaido and Maduro, who is backed by the powerful armed forces.

Venezuela is in the grip of recession and hyperinflation while millions of people are suffering from a shortage of basic necessities. The UN says some 2.3 million people have fled since 2015.

Military exercises

But the military has barricaded a border bridge linking the countries, with Maduro describing the aid as a "political show" and a pretext to a US intervention.

Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as interim president, has offered amnesty to military personnel who dump Maduro and told them that refusing to allow in aid was a "crime against humanity."

He says almost 100,000 Venezuelans have signed up as volunteers to help bring in aid and distribute it to those most in need.

"The military are the ones keeping Maduro in power. I call on them to reflect and take the side of the people suffering from hunger," said protester Maria Ballera, 75.

The Venezuelan government distributed food and medicine on Monday.

Guaido's envoys met Brazilian officials in Brasilia on Monday and announced plans to establish a second aid storage center in the state of Roraima, on Venezuela's southeastern border, from next week.

But Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said the armed forces were deploying a "reinforced presence all along the border."

Although he has wide international support in his bid to oust Maduro, Guaido needs the backing of the armed forces.

He has warned the military that it will be held responsible for any deaths among the protesters on Tuesday.

The US has presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for international aid deliveries and new presidential elections.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday dismissed the move as an attempt to "cover up planned provocations... to destabilize the situation in Venezuela and even gain an excuse for direct military intervention."

Speaking to AFP last week, Guaido refused to rule out asking for foreign intervention.

The Venezuelan military meanwhile announced it had started conducting exercises, set to run until Friday, to "reinforce the country's defensive capacity."

Maduro wants gold

Venezuela is oil dependent and sells more than 40 per cent of its crude, which makes up 96 per cent of its revenue, to the US, while Washington is using sanctions as an attempt to starve Maduro's regime of its funding.

"Venezuela is in the eye of a global geopolitical hurricane," said Maduro, who claims Trump is trying to force him out in order to take control of Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world.

In an interview with the BBC aired on Tuesday, he called for Britain to return "more than 80 tons of gold" reserves deposited in London.

"Send a convoy with the 80 tons of gold. Let it come, the convoy of money, it's our money. With that we could solve our country's problems," he said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his offer on Monday to help broker talks to end the political stalemate.

Guaido has rejected negotiations with Maduro, believing he would use them to buy time.

The European Union and a group of European and Latin American ministers have called for new presidential elections, but Maduro rejected both.

Tens of thousands of opposition activists flooded the streets of Venezuela on Tuesday to demand the military allow in desperately-needed aid, as President Nicolas Maduro's supporters rallied against "imperialist intervention.

Tens of thousands of opposition activists flooded the streets of Venezuela on Tuesday to demand the military allow in desperately-needed aid, as President Nicolas Maduro's supporters rallied against "imperialist intervention." Opposition leader Juan Guaido called the Youth Day demonstrations to honour 40 people killed in anti-government rallies and press for the food and medicine to be brought into the economically-ravaged South American country. While waiting for the National Assembly leader to speak in east Caracas, his supporters chanted: "Freedom!" "We're asking the military authorities to let in the aid and to protect it so that it reaches those most in need," Juan Perez, 68, told AFP. Guaido, who stunned the world on January 23 when he declared himself acting president, said the protest would "demand the entry of humanitarian aid that will save the lives of more than 300,000 Venezuelans." Taking his authority from the constitution, Guaido says Maduro's presidency is "illegitimate" as it was founded on flawed elections. He is trying to force the socialist leader from power so he can set up a transitional government and hold new presidential elections. Maduro meanwhile called a march of young leftists in the centre of Caracas denouncing foreign intervention in Venezuela's affairs and collecting signatures of people who reject US President Donald Trump. The fate of tons of aid piling up in Colombian collection centres at the border with Venezuela has become central to the power struggle between Guaido and Maduro, who is backed by the powerful armed forces. Venezuela is in the grip of recession and hyperinflation while millions of people are suffering from a shortage of basic necessities. The UN says some 2.3 million people have fled since 2015. Military exercises But the military has barricaded a border bridge linking the countries, with Maduro describing the aid as a "political show" and a pretext to a US intervention. Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as interim president, has offered amnesty to military personnel who dump Maduro and told them that refusing to allow in aid was a "crime against humanity." He says almost 100,000 Venezuelans have signed up as volunteers to help bring in aid and distribute it to those most in need. "The military are the ones keeping Maduro in power. I call on them to reflect and take the side of the people suffering from hunger," said protester Maria Ballera, 75. The Venezuelan government distributed food and medicine on Monday. Guaido's envoys met Brazilian officials in Brasilia on Monday and announced plans to establish a second aid storage center in the state of Roraima, on Venezuela's southeastern border, from next week. But Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said the armed forces were deploying a "reinforced presence all along the border." Although he has wide international support in his bid to oust Maduro, Guaido needs the backing of the armed forces. He has warned the military that it will be held responsible for any deaths among the protesters on Tuesday. The US has presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for international aid deliveries and new presidential elections. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday dismissed the move as an attempt to "cover up planned provocations... to destabilize the situation in Venezuela and even gain an excuse for direct military intervention." Speaking to AFP last week, Guaido refused to rule out asking for foreign intervention. The Venezuelan military meanwhile announced it had started conducting exercises, set to run until Friday, to "reinforce the country's defensive capacity." Maduro wants gold Venezuela is oil dependent and sells more than 40 per cent of its crude, which makes up 96 per cent of its revenue, to the US, while Washington is using sanctions as an attempt to starve Maduro's regime of its funding. "Venezuela is in the eye of a global geopolitical hurricane," said Maduro, who claims Trump is trying to force him out in order to take control of Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world. In an interview with the BBC aired on Tuesday, he called for Britain to return "more than 80 tons of gold" reserves deposited in London. "Send a convoy with the 80 tons of gold. Let it come, the convoy of money, it's our money. With that we could solve our country's problems," he said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his offer on Monday to help broker talks to end the political stalemate. Guaido has rejected negotiations with Maduro, believing he would use them to buy time. The European Union and a group of European and Latin American ministers have called for new presidential elections, but Maduro rejected both.

Venezuela opposition takes to streets over blocked aid

The self-declared interim president of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-opposition-leader-guaido-delivers-first-cargo-of-humanitarian-aid-196818">Venezuela Juan Guaido</a> on Monday pointed to the Armed Forces as the factor supporting "dictator" Nicolas Maduro but added that a vast majority of "military families" are dissatisfied.

"It is the Armed Forces who support the dictator today (...), that important sector of the country, which has a role not only in stopping the usurpation, but also in the reconstruction of Venezuela," Guaido said in an interview with EFE on Monday night.

It is also clear there are soldiers who have already begun to turn their backs on Maduro publicly, he said, adding there are also 160 active soldiers who were captured and “are being tortured."

According to his data, "80 percent of the military family is absolutely dissatisfied with this regime."

This loyalty of the so-called Bolivarian National Armed Forces (BNAF) to the government would be the main obstacle to undoing what Guaido has called Maduro's "usurpation" of the presidency, and would also be the obstacle to him assuming official interim presidency of the country.

On the possibility of ordering a foreign intervention, Guaido said the topic is “very controversial” but he is going to "do what is necessary to achieve the cessation of the dictatorship."

When Guaido declared himself interim president on Jan. 23 before hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, he said that his government intends to achieve three objectives that have become a mantra for the opposition: "Cessation of the usurpation, transition government and free elections."

Today, he said Maduro no longer has support but is still occupying the presidential palace of Miraflores because of "the military."

"Maduro is unaware of the crisis (...) the deterioration of the quality of life, of public services, the risk of life we have in Venezuela," he said.

"What do we lack today after 20 years of work, sacrifice, to build a majority? We lack the factor that ultimately sustains dictatorships, which is the Armed Forces," he added.

Guaido did not want to talk about the deadline for Maduro’s "usurpation" and preferred to reiterate areas in which they must continue working, such as "social mobilization," "the international community," "the Armed Forces" and "the union of the opposition."

"We are all desperate. We are all frustrated because of the hard moment in our country. But we must stay on the road. We have spoken very clearly and we are on a road of hope, of change that is getting closer," he said.

He did not know who would be the next candidate for the presidency when the "free elections" are held.

"The best candidate will be the one that emerges from the union of all the factors, from the democratic alternative," he said.

On the investigation that the Venezuelan Comptroller announced it would open for alleged international resources received, Guaido said that "an absolutely deteriorated regime with no credibility does not have any authority or legitimacy to speak after they have stolen all the money."

He also reiterated that he is only interested in "getting out of this dictatorship, achieving the necessary social and political force to achieve the cessation of the usurpation."

Guaido tried to dismantle the pro-government discourse that his actions can lead to a civil war by pointing out that in Venezuela "there is no possibility of a people-to-people confrontation" because "Maduro is isolated. He is alone and has no people’s support."

Maduro only wants to "maintain and protect his privileges," he added.

That is why "nobody would be willing to do anything for Nicolas Maduro, to sacrifice himself or to die for someone who is not willing to even attend to them or to protect them," he insisted.

He also said that Maduro does not know how to finance this alleged warlike scenario and this is one of the reasons why the presiding parliament has asked international financial organizations not to deliver the assets of Venezuela to the government.

"Why do we protect the assets of Venezuela? Precisely so that they do not use the resources of Venezuela in continuing to arm the population," he added.

Meanwhile, Guaido said he is focused on getting humanitarian aid to the country, and that he has already procured 1,700,000 food rations for children in a state of malnutrition.

The self-declared interim president of Venezuela Juan Guaido on Monday pointed to the Armed Forces as the factor supporting "dictator" Nicolas Maduro but added that a vast majority of "military families" are dissatisfied.

The self-declared interim president of Venezuela Juan Guaido on Monday pointed to the Armed Forces as the factor supporting "dictator" Nicolas Maduro but added that a vast majority of "military families" are dissatisfied. "It is the Armed Forces who support the dictator today (...), that important sector of the country, which has a role not only in stopping the usurpation, but also in the reconstruction of Venezuela," Guaido said in an interview with EFE on Monday night. It is also clear there are soldiers who have already begun to turn their backs on Maduro publicly, he said, adding there are also 160 active soldiers who were captured and “are being tortured." According to his data, "80 percent of the military family is absolutely dissatisfied with this regime." This loyalty of the so-called Bolivarian National Armed Forces (BNAF) to the government would be the main obstacle to undoing what Guaido has called Maduro's "usurpation" of the presidency, and would also be the obstacle to him assuming official interim presidency of the country. On the possibility of ordering a foreign intervention, Guaido said the topic is “very controversial” but he is going to "do what is necessary to achieve the cessation of the dictatorship." When Guaido declared himself interim president on Jan. 23 before hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, he said that his government intends to achieve three objectives that have become a mantra for the opposition: "Cessation of the usurpation, transition government and free elections." Today, he said Maduro no longer has support but is still occupying the presidential palace of Miraflores because of "the military." "Maduro is unaware of the crisis (...) the deterioration of the quality of life, of public services, the risk of life we have in Venezuela," he said. "What do we lack today after 20 years of work, sacrifice, to build a majority? We lack the factor that ultimately sustains dictatorships, which is the Armed Forces," he added. Guaido did not want to talk about the deadline for Maduro’s "usurpation" and preferred to reiterate areas in which they must continue working, such as "social mobilization," "the international community," "the Armed Forces" and "the union of the opposition." "We are all desperate. We are all frustrated because of the hard moment in our country. But we must stay on the road. We have spoken very clearly and we are on a road of hope, of change that is getting closer," he said. He did not know who would be the next candidate for the presidency when the "free elections" are held. "The best candidate will be the one that emerges from the union of all the factors, from the democratic alternative," he said. On the investigation that the Venezuelan Comptroller announced it would open for alleged international resources received, Guaido said that "an absolutely deteriorated regime with no credibility does not have any authority or legitimacy to speak after they have stolen all the money." He also reiterated that he is only interested in "getting out of this dictatorship, achieving the necessary social and political force to achieve the cessation of the usurpation." Guaido tried to dismantle the pro-government discourse that his actions can lead to a civil war by pointing out that in Venezuela "there is no possibility of a people-to-people confrontation" because "Maduro is isolated. He is alone and has no people’s support." Maduro only wants to "maintain and protect his privileges," he added. That is why "nobody would be willing to do anything for Nicolas Maduro, to sacrifice himself or to die for someone who is not willing to even attend to them or to protect them," he insisted. He also said that Maduro does not know how to finance this alleged warlike scenario and this is one of the reasons why the presiding parliament has asked international financial organizations not to deliver the assets of Venezuela to the government. "Why do we protect the assets of Venezuela? Precisely so that they do not use the resources of Venezuela in continuing to arm the population," he added. Meanwhile, Guaido said he is focused on getting humanitarian aid to the country, and that he has already procured 1,700,000 food rations for children in a state of malnutrition.

It is the military which is supporting 'dictator' Maduro: Venezuela opposition leader Guaido

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has called on Britain to return "more than 80 tons of gold" reserves deposited in London instead of sending humanitarian aid, in an interview with the BBC.

Venezuela is in the midst of an economic crisis as millions of people face shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicines.

But Maduro refuses to allow in aid sent by the United States to alleviate the crisis.

The socialist leader told the BBC, according to a transcript made public Tuesday, that his country may have gold reserves weighing 80 tons or more deposited at the Bank of England.

Maduro, who faces a challenge to his authority back home from opposition leader Juan Guaido, said the gold is "legally Venezuela's, it belongs to the Central Bank of Venezuela."

Maduro says the US has frozen $10 billion in Venezuelan accounts through its sanctions.

Washington has said it will turn over control of those resources to Guaido once Maduro has been removed from power.

"They should send a convoy with the dollars they've stolen from us," said Maduro, who claims that aid would be a pretext to foreign intervention.

"Send a convoy with the 80 tons of gold. Let it come, the convoy of money, it's our money. With that, we could solve our country's problems."

The government is hamstrung by a serious lack of liquidity, aggravated by US sanctions targeting both regime individuals and the state oil company PDVSA.

Venezuela has spent months trying to repatriate its gold reserves from London.

"I hope there will be respect for international law and the Central Bank of Venezuela," said Maduro, who is under huge international pressure to leave power so self-proclaimed acting president Guaido can set up a transitional government and hold new elections.

"Hopefully justice will prevail and Venezuela won't be expropriated of something it owns," added the socialist leader.

Guaido, who is recognized as Venezuela's true leader by around 50 countries, has asked the British government to ensure the Bank of England doesn't release the gold or other assets held there to Maduro.

British Prime Minister Theresa May is one of the world leaders to have recognized Guaido.

Maduro claims the government needs its foreign assets to alleviate the shortages of food and medicines, which he says is being used by the Washington-backed opposition to paint a picture of a humanitarian crisis to justify a US military intervention.

French corporate and investment bank Natixis claims Venezuela has 31 tons of gold worth $1.3 billion stashed in the Bank of England.

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has called on Britain to return "more than 80 tons of gold" reserves deposited in London instead of sending humanitarian aid, in an interview with the BBC.

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has called on Britain to return "more than 80 tons of gold" reserves deposited in London instead of sending humanitarian aid, in an interview with the BBC. Venezuela is in the midst of an economic crisis as millions of people face shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicines. But Maduro refuses to allow in aid sent by the United States to alleviate the crisis. The socialist leader told the BBC, according to a transcript made public Tuesday, that his country may have gold reserves weighing 80 tons or more deposited at the Bank of England. Maduro, who faces a challenge to his authority back home from opposition leader Juan Guaido, said the gold is "legally Venezuela's, it belongs to the Central Bank of Venezuela." Maduro says the US has frozen $10 billion in Venezuelan accounts through its sanctions. Washington has said it will turn over control of those resources to Guaido once Maduro has been removed from power. "They should send a convoy with the dollars they've stolen from us," said Maduro, who claims that aid would be a pretext to foreign intervention. "Send a convoy with the 80 tons of gold. Let it come, the convoy of money, it's our money. With that, we could solve our country's problems." The government is hamstrung by a serious lack of liquidity, aggravated by US sanctions targeting both regime individuals and the state oil company PDVSA. Venezuela has spent months trying to repatriate its gold reserves from London. "I hope there will be respect for international law and the Central Bank of Venezuela," said Maduro, who is under huge international pressure to leave power so self-proclaimed acting president Guaido can set up a transitional government and hold new elections. "Hopefully justice will prevail and Venezuela won't be expropriated of something it owns," added the socialist leader. Guaido, who is recognized as Venezuela's true leader by around 50 countries, has asked the British government to ensure the Bank of England doesn't release the gold or other assets held there to Maduro. British Prime Minister Theresa May is one of the world leaders to have recognized Guaido. Maduro claims the government needs its foreign assets to alleviate the shortages of food and medicines, which he says is being used by the Washington-backed opposition to paint a picture of a humanitarian crisis to justify a US military intervention. French corporate and investment bank Natixis claims Venezuela has 31 tons of gold worth $1.3 billion stashed in the Bank of England.

Maduro calls for return of Venezuela's UK-deposited gold

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-to-ask-oas-to-organise-elections-196773">Venezuela's opposition leader, Juan Guaido</a>, said on Monday his team had delivered a first cargo of the humanitarian aid that has become a flashpoint in his tussle with President Nicolas Maduro, without specifying how it had received it.

Guaido, who has been recognized by most Western nations as Venezuela's legitimate president over the past month, tweeted a photo of himself surrounded by stacks of white pots of vitamin and nutritional supplements. He did not say from where or whom they came.

Venezuela's opposition has been coordinating an effort by Western nations, companies and organizations to deliver aid to Venezuela where malnutrition and preventable disease have proliferated in recent years as the economy has nosedived.

Maduro has said this is part of a US-orchestrated strategy to undermine and ultimately overthrow him. He says he will not allow this "show."

Maduro on Monday launched a government programme to consolidate Venezuela's identity, aiming to improve exports. Under the slogan "Venezuela open to the future," it aims to enhance the tourist, commercial, economic and advertising activities of the country.

The United States last month recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader after he declared himself president. Guaido argued Maduro's re-election last year was a sham. The United States has since been joined by a majority of Western nations.

Venezuela's opposition leader, Juan Guaido, said on Monday his team had delivered a first cargo of the humanitarian aid that has become a flashpoint in his tussle with President Nicolas Maduro, without specifying how it had received it.

Venezuela's opposition leader, Juan Guaido, said on Monday his team had delivered a first cargo of the humanitarian aid that has become a flashpoint in his tussle with President Nicolas Maduro, without specifying how it had received it. Guaido, who has been recognized by most Western nations as Venezuela's legitimate president over the past month, tweeted a photo of himself surrounded by stacks of white pots of vitamin and nutritional supplements. He did not say from where or whom they came. Venezuela's opposition has been coordinating an effort by Western nations, companies and organizations to deliver aid to Venezuela where malnutrition and preventable disease have proliferated in recent years as the economy has nosedived. Maduro has said this is part of a US-orchestrated strategy to undermine and ultimately overthrow him. He says he will not allow this "show." Maduro on Monday launched a government programme to consolidate Venezuela's identity, aiming to improve exports. Under the slogan "Venezuela open to the future," it aims to enhance the tourist, commercial, economic and advertising activities of the country. The United States last month recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader after he declared himself president. Guaido argued Maduro's re-election last year was a sham. The United States has since been joined by a majority of Western nations.

Venezuela opposition leader Guaido delivers first cargo of humanitarian aid

A group of Venezuelan doctors demonstrated on the Colombian side of the border on Sunday as they demanded President Nicolas Maduro's government allow <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/humanitarian-aid-is-a-big-lie-venezuelan-vice-president-196432">humanitarian aid into their country</a>.

Amid a hyperinflationary economic collapse that has caused malnutrition and the exodus of millions of people, humanitarian aid has become a flashpoint in an intensifying political crisis.

Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido said last week a global coalition that includes the United States was sending food and medicine to collection points in Colombia, Brazil and an undisclosed Caribbean island before delivering the aid into Venezuela.

But Maduro denies there is even a crisis, saying it is part of a US-directed plot to undermine and overthrow his government and has said his government will not let the aid in.

Venezuela's opposition has so far only publicly announced the arrival of aid in the Colombian border town of Cucuta, where it is now being stockpiled as Venezuelan authorities have made it clear they will not allow it to enter the country.

Doctors at the demonstration said the food and medicine from the aid could be immediately used to befit their patients.

A group of Venezuelan doctors demonstrated on the Colombian side of the border on Sunday as they demanded President Nicolas Maduro's government allow humanitarian aid into their country.

A group of Venezuelan doctors demonstrated on the Colombian side of the border on Sunday as they demanded President Nicolas Maduro's government allow humanitarian aid into their country. Amid a hyperinflationary economic collapse that has caused malnutrition and the exodus of millions of people, humanitarian aid has become a flashpoint in an intensifying political crisis. Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido said last week a global coalition that includes the United States was sending food and medicine to collection points in Colombia, Brazil and an undisclosed Caribbean island before delivering the aid into Venezuela. But Maduro denies there is even a crisis, saying it is part of a US-directed plot to undermine and overthrow his government and has said his government will not let the aid in. Venezuela's opposition has so far only publicly announced the arrival of aid in the Colombian border town of Cucuta, where it is now being stockpiled as Venezuelan authorities have made it clear they will not allow it to enter the country. Doctors at the demonstration said the food and medicine from the aid could be immediately used to befit their patients.

Venezuelan doctors demand government allow humanitarian aid

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, has warned the military that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelan-doctors-demand-government-allow-humanitarian-aid-into-country-196481">blocking humanitarian aid</a> from entering the country is a "crime against humanity."

The warning came Sunday as international aid has taken centre stage in a test of wills between Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro in which Venezuela's armed forces are seen as the pivotal player.

Medicine and food sent by the United States has been blocked for three days on the border in Cucuta, Colombia after Venezuelan soldiers closed a bridge linking the two countries.

On the Venezuelan side of the border, dozens of doctors protested Sunday&nbsp; 
demanding the aid be allowed in -- including surgeon Jose Luis Mateus de la Riva, who accused Maduro of sinking Venezuelan medicine back to the "medieval era."&nbsp;

"There are people responsible for this and the regime should know it," Guaido said after attending Sunday mass with his wife and 20-month-old baby.

"This a crime against humanity, men of the armed forces." Accusing those blocking aid of being "almost genocidal," he likewise warned that the military would be held responsible for the deaths of protesters -- and reaffirmed his call for a mass march on Tuesday in memory of the estimated 40 people killed in disturbances since January 21.

Guaido has offered amnesty for any members of the armed forces who disavows Maduro -- but the military leadership still publicly backs the president.

On Sunday, the Venezuelan military announced it had started conducting exercises, set to run until February 15 across the country, to "reinforce the country's defensive capacity."

Maduro has rejected humanitarian aid as a US ploy to intervene in Venezuela, calling the deployment of aid a "political show" and blaming US sanctions for the country's widespread shortages of food and medicine.

Guaido countered that the regime was refusing to acknowledge a "crisis that they themselves generated," while Venezuelans were working to deal with the humanitarian emergency.

Speaking to AFP Friday, Guaido vowed to do "whatever necessary" to "stop the usurpation" of power and "save lives" -- without ruling out the possibility of authorizing foreign intervention.

And on Sunday, he said hundreds of volunteers had signed up over the weekend to help bring aid into Venezuela -- with further shipments set to arrive in neighbouring Brazil and on a Caribbean island.

Suffering the worst crisis of its modern history, Venezuelans have had to grapple with life-threatening scarcities amid eye-popping levels of hyperinflation that have rendered salaries and savings worthless.

According to the United Nations, some 2.3 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015.

But Guaido on Sunday reiterated that he would not negotiate with Maduro -- as he believes Maduro would use such talks to buy himself time. 
"Democracy is closer than ever before, the future is ours," he said. An international Contact Group, made up of European and Latin American countries, called for snap presidential elections following a meeting in Montevideo this week.

But Maduro, who has asked Pope Francis to act as a mediator, rejected what he said was "bias" by the group.

Last week Maduro also rejected a call by European Union countries to hold elections, prompting them to recognize Guaido.

Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, stunned Venezuela in January by declaring himself interim president after the legislature declared Maduro a "usurper" following his May 2018 reelection in a vote disputed by the opposition and international community.&nbsp;

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, has warned the military that blocking humanitarian aid from entering the country is a "crime against humanity.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, has warned the military that blocking humanitarian aid from entering the country is a "crime against humanity." The warning came Sunday as international aid has taken centre stage in a test of wills between Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro in which Venezuela's armed forces are seen as the pivotal player. Medicine and food sent by the United States has been blocked for three days on the border in Cucuta, Colombia after Venezuelan soldiers closed a bridge linking the two countries. On the Venezuelan side of the border, dozens of doctors protested Sunday demanding the aid be allowed in -- including surgeon Jose Luis Mateus de la Riva, who accused Maduro of sinking Venezuelan medicine back to the "medieval era." "There are people responsible for this and the regime should know it," Guaido said after attending Sunday mass with his wife and 20-month-old baby. "This a crime against humanity, men of the armed forces." Accusing those blocking aid of being "almost genocidal," he likewise warned that the military would be held responsible for the deaths of protesters -- and reaffirmed his call for a mass march on Tuesday in memory of the estimated 40 people killed in disturbances since January 21. Guaido has offered amnesty for any members of the armed forces who disavows Maduro -- but the military leadership still publicly backs the president. On Sunday, the Venezuelan military announced it had started conducting exercises, set to run until February 15 across the country, to "reinforce the country's defensive capacity." Maduro has rejected humanitarian aid as a US ploy to intervene in Venezuela, calling the deployment of aid a "political show" and blaming US sanctions for the country's widespread shortages of food and medicine. Guaido countered that the regime was refusing to acknowledge a "crisis that they themselves generated," while Venezuelans were working to deal with the humanitarian emergency. Speaking to AFP Friday, Guaido vowed to do "whatever necessary" to "stop the usurpation" of power and "save lives" -- without ruling out the possibility of authorizing foreign intervention. And on Sunday, he said hundreds of volunteers had signed up over the weekend to help bring aid into Venezuela -- with further shipments set to arrive in neighbouring Brazil and on a Caribbean island. Suffering the worst crisis of its modern history, Venezuelans have had to grapple with life-threatening scarcities amid eye-popping levels of hyperinflation that have rendered salaries and savings worthless. According to the United Nations, some 2.3 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015. But Guaido on Sunday reiterated that he would not negotiate with Maduro -- as he believes Maduro would use such talks to buy himself time. "Democracy is closer than ever before, the future is ours," he said. An international Contact Group, made up of European and Latin American countries, called for snap presidential elections following a meeting in Montevideo this week. But Maduro, who has asked Pope Francis to act as a mediator, rejected what he said was "bias" by the group. Last week Maduro also rejected a call by European Union countries to hold elections, prompting them to recognize Guaido. Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, stunned Venezuela in January by declaring himself interim president after the legislature declared Maduro a "usurper" following his May 2018 reelection in a vote disputed by the opposition and international community.

Venezuela's opposition leader Guaido warns military on blocked humanitarian aid

By Scott Morgenstern and John Polga–Hecimovich

As political and economic crises threaten to topple Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, political scientists like us are not surprised that he has run into trouble.

Instead, we see Venezuela as another example of what scholars call the “resource curse.” That’s the unfortunate correlation first described by the British economic geographer Richard M. Auty between nations with vast wealth from oil or other natural resources and political instability.

Venezuela is a textbook case of the curse, since nearly 90 per cent of its people are now living in poverty in the country with the world’s largest oil reserves. After decades of leaders who failed to harness this commodity for peace and prosperity, it is questionable whether a new government can do a better job.

Only a few oil and natural gas-rich countries, such as the United States, Canada and Norway have avoided this curse – in part because they built solid institutions and diverse economies before their petroleum drilling began.

The resource curse

The resource curse has afflicted many Latin American countries with profligate and populist elected leaders who succumbed to the temptations of corruption and reckless spending when easy money poured in, followed by right-wing dictatorships imposing repressive technocracies. Oil and wealth from other commodities like gold and copper, and foreign aid, have also supported kleptocrats and dictatorships who have often used their fortunes to retain power in other regions.

The scholars Terry Karl and Thad Dunning have persuasively argued that oil export revenue helped sustain Venezuelan democracy from the 1950s to the early 1980s. The government, they explained, could buy support from the elite with lower taxes and from the poor with social programs.

Oil money, in short, can sustain whatever government is in power, be it dictatorship or democracy.

But when crude prices fall, the loss of revenue polarises politics as the wealthy and the poor fight over the reduced proceeds. And when these countries not only rely on one export but also very limited markets, that adds to their vulnerability.

Oil sales constituted 98 per cent of Venezuela’s export earnings in 2017, with the US buying nearly half of the country’s exported crude.

Boom and bust

After several decades of strong economic performance backed by comparatively impressive social programs, Venezuela’s economy started to sputter in the 1980s. The vast sums of money it had borrowed a decade earlier, backed by future oil revenues, were coming due by that time.

President Carlos Andrés Pérez, who had presided over strong economic growth between 1974 and 1979, returned to power in 1989. However, this time the country faced a weak currency, rising poverty rates, and increased foreign and public debt in combination with low oil prices.

To stabilize the economy, Pérez implemented austerity policies that deregulated capital markets and reduced-price controls on gasoline and other products.

These measures exacerbated economic hardships for the poor, and Venezuelans took to the streets to protest in deadly riots known as the Caracazo. Pérez survived two coup attempts in 1992 only to be impeached and forced out of office for embezzlement in 1993.

Popular anger against economic conditions and the dominant political class led voters to back more polarizing politicians. The first coup attempt against Pérez in 1992 was organized by Hugo Chávez, then a lieutenant-colonel, who famously exclaimed to the nation that he had failed “for now.”

He was right. Just six years later, in 1998, he ran for president and won an overwhelming victory.

Building support 
 
Luckily for Chávez, oil prices had started to rise again, eventually reaching record levels while he was in power. Aside from a brief downturn brought on by the Great Recession, those high oil prices raised enough revenue to help sustain his support.

He gained extra revenue by restructuring Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the country’s state-owned oil and natural gas company that now faces U.S. sanctions, to increase his control and to direct a bigger percentage of its export earnings into government coffers.

With that money, he built popular support by paying for dozens of safety net programs, such as the “Barrio Adentro” health initiative for the poor and the “Misión Robinson” literacy program, starting massive infrastructure projects, and continuing to subsidise the world’s cheapest gasoline.

When Chávez appointed allies to prominent posts at PDVSA in 2002, dissident members of the military and radicalized leaders of the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce staged a coup attempt that ultimately failed to oust him.

Meanwhile, the government invested too little in the oil industry and mismanaged it. At the same time, it did too little to prepare for the possibility of lower revenue from oil, to boost other exports or to stop depending on the United States as its biggest customer. Following a big decline, Venezuela remained America’s third-largest source of foreign oil as of October 2018.

Maduro’s staying power

Maduro arrived to power in 2013, after the 58-year-old Chávez died from cancer. By then, Venezuelan oil production had declined, and just one year later global oil prices began to collapse.

Maduro’s popularity collapsed too, although he did get re-elected in 2018 in a race without any independent international electoral observers that was marked by boycotts, accusations of repressing the opposition, and vote-rigging.

On top of his misfortune to be leading Venezuela during an oil price slump, Maduro has turned out to be even worse at managing the oil industry than Chávez. He installed military cronies as managers, led by Manuel Quevedo, a major general in Venezuela’s National Guard.

Since his rise, there have been more purges of PDVSA executives, and many reports that lower-level workers are staying home since they can no longer afford the commute on their wages. Adding even further to the commotion, corruption has run rampant.

The increased social and economic upheaval has even led many poor people to withdraw their allegiance to Maduro. Amid the turmoil, the U.S. and many other countries are recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó, as the nation’s legitimate president.

Whether or not Guaidó manages to dislodge Maduro’s grip on power, the country’s turbulent history suggests that long-term success will require much more than removing its current embattled leader. Any future leaders must also build the coalitions and institutions necessary to break the resource curse and thus empower Venezuela to finally draw social and economic stability from its oil wealth.

(Scott Morgenstern is Professor, University of Pittsburgh; John Polga–Hecimovich is Assistant Professor, United States Naval Academy)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Scott Morgenstern and John Polga–Hecimovich As political and economic crises threaten to topple Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, political scientists like us are not surprised that he has run into trouble.

By Scott Morgenstern and John Polga–Hecimovich As political and economic crises threaten to topple Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, political scientists like us are not surprised that he has run into trouble. Instead, we see Venezuela as another example of what scholars call the “resource curse.” That’s the unfortunate correlation first described by the British economic geographer Richard M. Auty between nations with vast wealth from oil or other natural resources and political instability. Venezuela is a textbook case of the curse, since nearly 90 per cent of its people are now living in poverty in the country with the world’s largest oil reserves. After decades of leaders who failed to harness this commodity for peace and prosperity, it is questionable whether a new government can do a better job. Only a few oil and natural gas-rich countries, such as the United States, Canada and Norway have avoided this curse – in part because they built solid institutions and diverse economies before their petroleum drilling began. The resource curse The resource curse has afflicted many Latin American countries with profligate and populist elected leaders who succumbed to the temptations of corruption and reckless spending when easy money poured in, followed by right-wing dictatorships imposing repressive technocracies. Oil and wealth from other commodities like gold and copper, and foreign aid, have also supported kleptocrats and dictatorships who have often used their fortunes to retain power in other regions. The scholars Terry Karl and Thad Dunning have persuasively argued that oil export revenue helped sustain Venezuelan democracy from the 1950s to the early 1980s. The government, they explained, could buy support from the elite with lower taxes and from the poor with social programs. Oil money, in short, can sustain whatever government is in power, be it dictatorship or democracy. But when crude prices fall, the loss of revenue polarises politics as the wealthy and the poor fight over the reduced proceeds. And when these countries not only rely on one export but also very limited markets, that adds to their vulnerability. Oil sales constituted 98 per cent of Venezuela’s export earnings in 2017, with the US buying nearly half of the country’s exported crude. Boom and bust After several decades of strong economic performance backed by comparatively impressive social programs, Venezuela’s economy started to sputter in the 1980s. The vast sums of money it had borrowed a decade earlier, backed by future oil revenues, were coming due by that time. President Carlos Andrés Pérez, who had presided over strong economic growth between 1974 and 1979, returned to power in 1989. However, this time the country faced a weak currency, rising poverty rates, and increased foreign and public debt in combination with low oil prices. To stabilize the economy, Pérez implemented austerity policies that deregulated capital markets and reduced-price controls on gasoline and other products. These measures exacerbated economic hardships for the poor, and Venezuelans took to the streets to protest in deadly riots known as the Caracazo. Pérez survived two coup attempts in 1992 only to be impeached and forced out of office for embezzlement in 1993. Popular anger against economic conditions and the dominant political class led voters to back more polarizing politicians. The first coup attempt against Pérez in 1992 was organized by Hugo Chávez, then a lieutenant-colonel, who famously exclaimed to the nation that he had failed “for now.” He was right. Just six years later, in 1998, he ran for president and won an overwhelming victory. Building support Luckily for Chávez, oil prices had started to rise again, eventually reaching record levels while he was in power. Aside from a brief downturn brought on by the Great Recession, those high oil prices raised enough revenue to help sustain his support. He gained extra revenue by restructuring Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the country’s state-owned oil and natural gas company that now faces U.S. sanctions, to increase his control and to direct a bigger percentage of its export earnings into government coffers. With that money, he built popular support by paying for dozens of safety net programs, such as the “Barrio Adentro” health initiative for the poor and the “Misión Robinson” literacy program, starting massive infrastructure projects, and continuing to subsidise the world’s cheapest gasoline. When Chávez appointed allies to prominent posts at PDVSA in 2002, dissident members of the military and radicalized leaders of the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce staged a coup attempt that ultimately failed to oust him. Meanwhile, the government invested too little in the oil industry and mismanaged it. At the same time, it did too little to prepare for the possibility of lower revenue from oil, to boost other exports or to stop depending on the United States as its biggest customer. Following a big decline, Venezuela remained America’s third-largest source of foreign oil as of October 2018. Maduro’s staying power Maduro arrived to power in 2013, after the 58-year-old Chávez died from cancer. By then, Venezuelan oil production had declined, and just one year later global oil prices began to collapse. Maduro’s popularity collapsed too, although he did get re-elected in 2018 in a race without any independent international electoral observers that was marked by boycotts, accusations of repressing the opposition, and vote-rigging. On top of his misfortune to be leading Venezuela during an oil price slump, Maduro has turned out to be even worse at managing the oil industry than Chávez. He installed military cronies as managers, led by Manuel Quevedo, a major general in Venezuela’s National Guard. Since his rise, there have been more purges of PDVSA executives, and many reports that lower-level workers are staying home since they can no longer afford the commute on their wages. Adding even further to the commotion, corruption has run rampant. The increased social and economic upheaval has even led many poor people to withdraw their allegiance to Maduro. Amid the turmoil, the U.S. and many other countries are recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó, as the nation’s legitimate president. Whether or not Guaidó manages to dislodge Maduro’s grip on power, the country’s turbulent history suggests that long-term success will require much more than removing its current embattled leader. Any future leaders must also build the coalitions and institutions necessary to break the resource curse and thus empower Venezuela to finally draw social and economic stability from its oil wealth. (Scott Morgenstern is Professor, University of Pittsburgh; John Polga–Hecimovich is Assistant Professor, United States Naval Academy) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Why Venezuela’s oil money could keep undermining its economy and democracy

Venezuela's most successful financial operations in recent years have not taken place on Wall Street, but in primitive gold-mining camps in the nation's southern reaches.

With the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/humanitarian-aid-is-a-big-lie-venezuelan-vice-president-196432">country's economy in meltdown</a>, an estimated 300,000 fortune hunters have descended on this mineral-rich jungle area to earn a living pulling gold-flecked earth from makeshift mines.

Their picks and shovels are helping to prop up the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro. Since 2016, his administration has purchased 17 tonnes of the metal worth around $650 million from so-called artisan miners, according to the most recent data from the nation's central bank.

Paid with the country's near-worthless bank notes, these amateurs, in turn, supply the government with hard currency to purchase badly needed imports of food and hygiene products. This gold trade is a blip on international markets. Still, the United States is using sanctions and intimidation in an effort to stop Maduro from using his nation's gold to stay afloat.

The Trump administration is pressuring the United Kingdom not to release $1.2 billion in gold reserves Venezuela has stored in the Bank of England. US&nbsp;officials recently castigated an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm for its Venezuela gold purchases, and have warned other potential foreign buyers to back off.

The existence of Maduro's gold program is well-known. How it functions is not.

To get a glimpse inside, Reuters tracked Venezuela's gold from steamy jungle mines, through the central bank in the capital of Caracas to gold refineries and food exporters abroad, speaking with more than 30 people with knowledge of the trade. They included miners, intermediaries, merchants, academic researchers, diplomats and government officials. Almost all requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, or because they feared retribution from Venezuelan or US&nbsp;authorities.

What emerges is the portrait of a desperate experiment in laissez-faire industrial policy by Venezuela's socialist leaders. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-shifts-oil-ventures-accounts-to-russian-bank-document-and-sources-196318">US&nbsp;sanctions have hammered the nation's oil industry</a> and crippled its ability to borrow. The formal mining sector has been decimated by nationalization. So Maduro has unleashed freelance prospectors to extract the nation's mineral wealth with virtually no regulation or state investment.

The Bolivarian Revolution now leans heavily on ragtag labourers such as Jose Aular, a teenager who says he has contracted malaria five times at a wildcat mine near Venezuela's border with Brazil. Aular works 12 hours daily lugging sacks of the earth to a small mill that uses toxic mercury to extract flecks of precious metal. Mining accidents are common in these ramshackle operations, workers said. So are shootings and robberies.

"The government knows what happens in these mines and it benefits from it," said Aular, 18. "Our gold goes into their hands."

Maduro has also received a crucial assist from Turkish President Recep Erdogan, a fellow strongman who has likewise sparred with the Trump administration.

Venezuela sells most of its gold to Turkish refineries, then uses some of the proceeds to buy that nation's consumer goods, according to people with direct knowledge of the trade. Turkish pasta and powdered milk are now staples in Maduro's subsidized food program. Trade between the two nations grew eightfold last year.

But scrutiny is intensifying as Venezuela's politics reach the boiling point. In recent days, many Western countries have recognized Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido as the South American nation's rightful president.

Maduro's adversaries have called on foreign buyers of Venezuela's precious metal to stop doing business with what they say is an illegitimate regime.

"We are going to protect our gold," opposition legislator Carlos Paparoni told Reuters in an interview.

Gold fever

The gold road begins in places like La Culebra, an isolated jungle area in southern Venezuela. Here, hundreds of men labour in crude mining operations that would be at home in the 19th century. They excavate mineral-laden dirt with picks in hand-dug tunnels, hauling it out with pulleys and winches.

Their activity is laying waste to fragile forest ecosystems and spreading mosquito-borne diseases. Miners complain of shakedowns by military forces sent to guard the region, whose homicide rate is seven times the national average. Venezuela's ministries of defence and information did not respond to requests for comment.

Miner Jose Rondon is used to hardship. Now 47, he arrived in 2016 from northeast Venezuela with his two adult sons. His bus driver's salary could not keep pace with Venezuela's hyperinflation, which the International Monetary Fund projects will hit 10 million per cent this year.

The three men net roughly 10 grams of gold monthly from backbreaking work. Still, it is roughly 20 times what they could earn back home.

"Here I do much better," said Rondon, resting in a crude bunkhouse strung with hammocks.

Gold in hand, miners head to the town of El Callao to sell their nuggets. Most buyers are unlicensed, small-scale traders working in cramped shops fitted with alarms and steel doors.

"The state is buying gold, everyone is buying gold, because it's what is doing well," said Jhony Diaz, a licensed wholesaler in Puerto Ordaz, 171 kilometres (106 miles) north of El Callao. Diaz says he buys gold from traders and resells every three days to the central bank.

Because Venezuela's currency, the bolivar, is worthless every hour someone holds it, the state pays a premium over international prices to make it worthwhile for those who could smuggle gold out of the country to exchange for dollars.

Traders who sell to Diaz end up with bricks of cash to carry back to El Callao and other gold-rush towns to pay miners, who use it to buy food, supplies and send whatever is left to their families.

Gold purchased by the government is smelted in the nearby furnaces of Minerven, the state-run mining company, according to a high-ranking employee. It is then transported to the vaults of the central bank in the capital Caracas, 843 kilometres (524 miles) away.

The gold does not stay there long. The central bank's gold reserves have plummeted to their lowest levels in 75 years. Venezuela is selling the artisan metal as well as existing reserves to pay its bills, according to two high-ranking government officials.

The main buyer these days is Turkey, the officials said.

Turkish alliance

Maduro's gold program has developed in tandem with his deepening relationship with Turkey's Erdogan. Both leaders have been criticized internationally for cracking down on political dissent and undermining democratic norms to concentrate power.

A November 1 executive order signed by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump bars US&nbsp;persons and entities from buying gold from Venezuela. It does not apply to foreigners. Ankara has assured the US&nbsp;Treasury that all of Turkey's trade with Venezuela is in accordance with international law.

Venezuela in December 2016 announced a direct flight from Caracas to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. The development was surprising given low demand for travel between the two nations.

Trade data show those planes are carrying more than passengers. On New Year's Day, 2018, Venezuela's central bank began shipping gold to Turkey with a $36 million air shipment of the metal to Istanbul. It came just weeks after a visit by Maduro to Turkey.

Shipments last year reached $900 million, according to Turkish government data and trade reports.

Venezuela's central bank has been selling its artisan gold directly to Turkish refiners, according to two senior Venezuelan officials. Proceeds go to the Venezuelan state development bank Bandes to purchase Turkish consumer goods, the officials said.

Gold buyers include Istanbul Gold Refinery, or IGR; and Sardes Kiymetli Mandele, a Turkish trading firm, according to a person who works in Turkey's gold industry as well as a Caracas-based diplomat and the two senior Venezuelan officials.

In an interview with Reuters, IGR CEO Aysan Esen denied the company has been involved in any Venezuelan gold deals. In a written statement, she said she met with Venezuelan and Turkish officials in Istanbul in April to offer her views on compliance with international regulations.

Esen said she advised the Turkish government that working with Venezuela "would not be right for leading institutions or the state."

As for Sardes Kiymetli Mandele, no one at its Istanbul offices responded to inquiries from Reuters.

Turkish consumer products, meanwhile, are making their way to Venezuelan tables. In early December, 54 containers of Turkish powdered milk arrived at the port of La Guaira near Caracas, according to port records seen by Reuters.

The Istanbul-based shipper, Mulberry Proje Yatirim, shares an address with Marilyns Proje Yatirin, a mining company that signed a joint venture with Venezuela's state mining firm Minerven last year, according to filings with a Turkish trade registry gazette in September.

The companies did not respond to a request for comment.

Even Maduro's critics acknowledge he has pulled off a neat trick of alchemy: By compensating hard-pressed citizen miners with inflation-ravaged bolivars and obtaining precious metal in return, he has found a way to spin straw into gold.

Venezuelan economist Angel Alvarado, an opposition lawmaker, said "dark operations and unusual mechanisms of commercial exchange," are among the few tools Maduro has left.

"There is a desperation to stay in power at all costs," Alvarado said.

Venezuela's most successful financial operations in recent years have not taken place on Wall Street, but in primitive gold-mining camps in the nation's southern reaches.

Venezuela's most successful financial operations in recent years have not taken place on Wall Street, but in primitive gold-mining camps in the nation's southern reaches. With the country's economy in meltdown, an estimated 300,000 fortune hunters have descended on this mineral-rich jungle area to earn a living pulling gold-flecked earth from makeshift mines. Their picks and shovels are helping to prop up the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro. Since 2016, his administration has purchased 17 tonnes of the metal worth around $650 million from so-called artisan miners, according to the most recent data from the nation's central bank. Paid with the country's near-worthless bank notes, these amateurs, in turn, supply the government with hard currency to purchase badly needed imports of food and hygiene products. This gold trade is a blip on international markets. Still, the United States is using sanctions and intimidation in an effort to stop Maduro from using his nation's gold to stay afloat. The Trump administration is pressuring the United Kingdom not to release $1.2 billion in gold reserves Venezuela has stored in the Bank of England. US officials recently castigated an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm for its Venezuela gold purchases, and have warned other potential foreign buyers to back off. The existence of Maduro's gold program is well-known. How it functions is not. To get a glimpse inside, Reuters tracked Venezuela's gold from steamy jungle mines, through the central bank in the capital of Caracas to gold refineries and food exporters abroad, speaking with more than 30 people with knowledge of the trade. They included miners, intermediaries, merchants, academic researchers, diplomats and government officials. Almost all requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, or because they feared retribution from Venezuelan or US authorities. What emerges is the portrait of a desperate experiment in laissez-faire industrial policy by Venezuela's socialist leaders. US sanctions have hammered the nation's oil industry and crippled its ability to borrow. The formal mining sector has been decimated by nationalization. So Maduro has unleashed freelance prospectors to extract the nation's mineral wealth with virtually no regulation or state investment. The Bolivarian Revolution now leans heavily on ragtag labourers such as Jose Aular, a teenager who says he has contracted malaria five times at a wildcat mine near Venezuela's border with Brazil. Aular works 12 hours daily lugging sacks of the earth to a small mill that uses toxic mercury to extract flecks of precious metal. Mining accidents are common in these ramshackle operations, workers said. So are shootings and robberies. "The government knows what happens in these mines and it benefits from it," said Aular, 18. "Our gold goes into their hands." Maduro has also received a crucial assist from Turkish President Recep Erdogan, a fellow strongman who has likewise sparred with the Trump administration. Venezuela sells most of its gold to Turkish refineries, then uses some of the proceeds to buy that nation's consumer goods, according to people with direct knowledge of the trade. Turkish pasta and powdered milk are now staples in Maduro's subsidized food program. Trade between the two nations grew eightfold last year. But scrutiny is intensifying as Venezuela's politics reach the boiling point. In recent days, many Western countries have recognized Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido as the South American nation's rightful president. Maduro's adversaries have called on foreign buyers of Venezuela's precious metal to stop doing business with what they say is an illegitimate regime. "We are going to protect our gold," opposition legislator Carlos Paparoni told Reuters in an interview. Gold fever The gold road begins in places like La Culebra, an isolated jungle area in southern Venezuela. Here, hundreds of men labour in crude mining operations that would be at home in the 19th century. They excavate mineral-laden dirt with picks in hand-dug tunnels, hauling it out with pulleys and winches. Their activity is laying waste to fragile forest ecosystems and spreading mosquito-borne diseases. Miners complain of shakedowns by military forces sent to guard the region, whose homicide rate is seven times the national average. Venezuela's ministries of defence and information did not respond to requests for comment. Miner Jose Rondon is used to hardship. Now 47, he arrived in 2016 from northeast Venezuela with his two adult sons. His bus driver's salary could not keep pace with Venezuela's hyperinflation, which the International Monetary Fund projects will hit 10 million per cent this year. The three men net roughly 10 grams of gold monthly from backbreaking work. Still, it is roughly 20 times what they could earn back home. "Here I do much better," said Rondon, resting in a crude bunkhouse strung with hammocks. Gold in hand, miners head to the town of El Callao to sell their nuggets. Most buyers are unlicensed, small-scale traders working in cramped shops fitted with alarms and steel doors. "The state is buying gold, everyone is buying gold, because it's what is doing well," said Jhony Diaz, a licensed wholesaler in Puerto Ordaz, 171 kilometres (106 miles) north of El Callao. Diaz says he buys gold from traders and resells every three days to the central bank. Because Venezuela's currency, the bolivar, is worthless every hour someone holds it, the state pays a premium over international prices to make it worthwhile for those who could smuggle gold out of the country to exchange for dollars. Traders who sell to Diaz end up with bricks of cash to carry back to El Callao and other gold-rush towns to pay miners, who use it to buy food, supplies and send whatever is left to their families. Gold purchased by the government is smelted in the nearby furnaces of Minerven, the state-run mining company, according to a high-ranking employee. It is then transported to the vaults of the central bank in the capital Caracas, 843 kilometres (524 miles) away. The gold does not stay there long. The central bank's gold reserves have plummeted to their lowest levels in 75 years. Venezuela is selling the artisan metal as well as existing reserves to pay its bills, according to two high-ranking government officials. The main buyer these days is Turkey, the officials said. Turkish alliance Maduro's gold program has developed in tandem with his deepening relationship with Turkey's Erdogan. Both leaders have been criticized internationally for cracking down on political dissent and undermining democratic norms to concentrate power. A November 1 executive order signed by US President Donald Trump bars US persons and entities from buying gold from Venezuela. It does not apply to foreigners. Ankara has assured the US Treasury that all of Turkey's trade with Venezuela is in accordance with international law. Venezuela in December 2016 announced a direct flight from Caracas to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. The development was surprising given low demand for travel between the two nations. Trade data show those planes are carrying more than passengers. On New Year's Day, 2018, Venezuela's central bank began shipping gold to Turkey with a $36 million air shipment of the metal to Istanbul. It came just weeks after a visit by Maduro to Turkey. Shipments last year reached $900 million, according to Turkish government data and trade reports. Venezuela's central bank has been selling its artisan gold directly to Turkish refiners, according to two senior Venezuelan officials. Proceeds go to the Venezuelan state development bank Bandes to purchase Turkish consumer goods, the officials said. Gold buyers include Istanbul Gold Refinery, or IGR; and Sardes Kiymetli Mandele, a Turkish trading firm, according to a person who works in Turkey's gold industry as well as a Caracas-based diplomat and the two senior Venezuelan officials. In an interview with Reuters, IGR CEO Aysan Esen denied the company has been involved in any Venezuelan gold deals. In a written statement, she said she met with Venezuelan and Turkish officials in Istanbul in April to offer her views on compliance with international regulations. Esen said she advised the Turkish government that working with Venezuela "would not be right for leading institutions or the state." As for Sardes Kiymetli Mandele, no one at its Istanbul offices responded to inquiries from Reuters. Turkish consumer products, meanwhile, are making their way to Venezuelan tables. In early December, 54 containers of Turkish powdered milk arrived at the port of La Guaira near Caracas, according to port records seen by Reuters. The Istanbul-based shipper, Mulberry Proje Yatirim, shares an address with Marilyns Proje Yatirin, a mining company that signed a joint venture with Venezuela's state mining firm Minerven last year, according to filings with a Turkish trade registry gazette in September. The companies did not respond to a request for comment. Even Maduro's critics acknowledge he has pulled off a neat trick of alchemy: By compensating hard-pressed citizen miners with inflation-ravaged bolivars and obtaining precious metal in return, he has found a way to spin straw into gold. Venezuelan economist Angel Alvarado, an opposition lawmaker, said "dark operations and unusual mechanisms of commercial exchange," are among the few tools Maduro has left. "There is a desperation to stay in power at all costs," Alvarado said.

How Venezuela turns its useless bank notes into gold

The United States has presented a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling for international aid deliveries and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-should-be-wary-of-the-us-sponsored-crisis-in-venezuela-194281">a presidential vote in Venezuela</a>, triggering a Russian counter-proposal.

While no date has yet been set for a vote on the American draft, and negotiations are ongoing, Russia is likely to use its veto power to block it as part of its support of Nicolas Maduro's regime, diplomats said.

The text, a copy of which was obtained by AFP on Saturday, expresses "full support for the National Assembly as the only democratically elected institution in Venezuela."

The legislative body's chairman, Juan Guaido, has declared himself interim president of Venezuela, challenging Maduro's rule.

The draft resolution stresses "deep concern with the violence and excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces against unarmed, peaceful protesters."

It also "calls for the immediate start of a political process leading to free, fair and credible presidential elections, with international electoral observation, in line with Venezuela's constitution."

The text also requests that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres "utilize his good offices" to obtain such elections.

It also "stresses the need to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and to facilitate access and delivery of assistance to all in need in the entirety of the territory of Venezuela."

On Friday, Moscow proposed an alternative resolution to the American one, diplomats said.

It expresses "concern over the threats to use force against the territorial integrity and political independence of... Venezuela," according to a draft seen by AFP.

The draft also criticizes "attempts to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of... Venezuela."

Calling for a "peaceful" resolution of the stalemate in Venezuela, it "supports all initiatives aimed at reaching a political solution amongst Venezuelans to the current situation... through a genuine and inclusive process of national dialogue."

However, a diplomat told AFP that if put to a vote, the Russian text would fail to obtain the minimum of nine votes to pass without another veto-wielding country blocking it.

Humanitarian aid sent by the United States recently arrived in the Colombian city of Cucuta at the border with Venezuela, but Maduro has refused to let in the shipments.&nbsp;

Guaido said Friday he was ready to take any necessary measures, including authorizing a US military intervention, to force Maduro from power and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

The United States has presented a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling for international aid deliveries and a presidential vote in Venezuela, triggering a Russian counter-proposal.

The United States has presented a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling for international aid deliveries and a presidential vote in Venezuela, triggering a Russian counter-proposal. While no date has yet been set for a vote on the American draft, and negotiations are ongoing, Russia is likely to use its veto power to block it as part of its support of Nicolas Maduro's regime, diplomats said. The text, a copy of which was obtained by AFP on Saturday, expresses "full support for the National Assembly as the only democratically elected institution in Venezuela." The legislative body's chairman, Juan Guaido, has declared himself interim president of Venezuela, challenging Maduro's rule. The draft resolution stresses "deep concern with the violence and excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces against unarmed, peaceful protesters." It also "calls for the immediate start of a political process leading to free, fair and credible presidential elections, with international electoral observation, in line with Venezuela's constitution." The text also requests that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres "utilize his good offices" to obtain such elections. It also "stresses the need to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and to facilitate access and delivery of assistance to all in need in the entirety of the territory of Venezuela." On Friday, Moscow proposed an alternative resolution to the American one, diplomats said. It expresses "concern over the threats to use force against the territorial integrity and political independence of... Venezuela," according to a draft seen by AFP. The draft also criticizes "attempts to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of... Venezuela." Calling for a "peaceful" resolution of the stalemate in Venezuela, it "supports all initiatives aimed at reaching a political solution amongst Venezuelans to the current situation... through a genuine and inclusive process of national dialogue." However, a diplomat told AFP that if put to a vote, the Russian text would fail to obtain the minimum of nine votes to pass without another veto-wielding country blocking it. Humanitarian aid sent by the United States recently arrived in the Colombian city of Cucuta at the border with Venezuela, but Maduro has refused to let in the shipments. Guaido said Friday he was ready to take any necessary measures, including authorizing a US military intervention, to force Maduro from power and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

US seeks United Nations resolution calling for Venezuela elections

China has backed multinational efforts in finding a solution to an ongoing power tussle in Venezuela, insisting that only a peaceful dialogue would solve the crisis in the South American country.

"Venezuela's affairs should be resolved by its people within the framework of the constitution and the law through peaceful dialogue and political channels," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement late Friday.

Hua's statement came after Thursday's meeting on Venezuela of an International Contact Group led by Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez. The meeting was attended by leaders of 14 other countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Sweden.

A handful of Latin American countries such as Uruguay, Ecuador and Costa Rica are also part of the group.

Hua said China hoped all parties would play a constructive role in the peaceful resolution of the Venezuela issue, insisting that dialogue was the only way that long-term peace and stability could be attained in Venezuela.

China is a close ally of embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who is now locked in a bitter power tussle with Juan Guaido, the 35-year-old opposition leader, who has declared himself interim president.

On Thursday, the International Contact Group agreed in Montevideo (Uruguay) to send a technical mission to the country and meet again in March to keep working towards a peaceful solution to the crisis, and prevent the situation from getting worse.

The contact group seeks a solution to Venezuela's political and economic crisis through dialogue and new presidential elections.

On its part, Uruguay, Mexico and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) proposed the initiative Montevideo Mechanism, which seeks to achieve peace in Venezuela in four stages - immediate dialogue, negotiation, commitment and implementation.

The US, Canada, numerous Latin American countries and the major European powers all consider Maduro's May 2018 re-election victory to be tainted by fraud and have recognized Guaido, the speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, as interim president.

Venezuela has been battling political, social and humanitarian crises with instability and breakdown of law and order, along with acute shortage of basic necessities, which has also led to large number of people fleeing to neighboring countries.

On Monday, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement said they could not participate in the distribution of international humanitarian aid to Venezuela from Colombia if there was no prior agreement with those organizations.

However, the first shipment of humanitarian aid from the United States arrived Thursday in the Colombian border city of Cucuta, while officials have been working on means of getting them distributed.

Tensions increased in Venezuela on January 23 when the head of the opposition-controlled Venezuelan Parliament, Guaido, proclaimed himself interim president of the country.

The opposition considers the presidency of Maduro, who has been the head of state since 2013, to be illegitimate after he won "fraudulent" election last May without any meaningful competition.

China has backed multinational efforts in finding a solution to an ongoing power tussle in Venezuela, insisting that only a peaceful dialogue would solve the crisis in the South American country.

China has backed multinational efforts in finding a solution to an ongoing power tussle in Venezuela, insisting that only a peaceful dialogue would solve the crisis in the South American country. "Venezuela's affairs should be resolved by its people within the framework of the constitution and the law through peaceful dialogue and political channels," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement late Friday. Hua's statement came after Thursday's meeting on Venezuela of an International Contact Group led by Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez. The meeting was attended by leaders of 14 other countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Sweden. A handful of Latin American countries such as Uruguay, Ecuador and Costa Rica are also part of the group. Hua said China hoped all parties would play a constructive role in the peaceful resolution of the Venezuela issue, insisting that dialogue was the only way that long-term peace and stability could be attained in Venezuela. China is a close ally of embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who is now locked in a bitter power tussle with Juan Guaido, the 35-year-old opposition leader, who has declared himself interim president. On Thursday, the International Contact Group agreed in Montevideo (Uruguay) to send a technical mission to the country and meet again in March to keep working towards a peaceful solution to the crisis, and prevent the situation from getting worse. The contact group seeks a solution to Venezuela's political and economic crisis through dialogue and new presidential elections. On its part, Uruguay, Mexico and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) proposed the initiative Montevideo Mechanism, which seeks to achieve peace in Venezuela in four stages - immediate dialogue, negotiation, commitment and implementation. The US, Canada, numerous Latin American countries and the major European powers all consider Maduro's May 2018 re-election victory to be tainted by fraud and have recognized Guaido, the speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, as interim president. Venezuela has been battling political, social and humanitarian crises with instability and breakdown of law and order, along with acute shortage of basic necessities, which has also led to large number of people fleeing to neighboring countries. On Monday, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement said they could not participate in the distribution of international humanitarian aid to Venezuela from Colombia if there was no prior agreement with those organizations. However, the first shipment of humanitarian aid from the United States arrived Thursday in the Colombian border city of Cucuta, while officials have been working on means of getting them distributed. Tensions increased in Venezuela on January 23 when the head of the opposition-controlled Venezuelan Parliament, Guaido, proclaimed himself interim president of the country. The opposition considers the presidency of Maduro, who has been the head of state since 2013, to be illegitimate after he won "fraudulent" election last May without any meaningful competition.

China backs multinational efforts, calls for talks to end Venezuela crisis

Venezuela's government on Friday said the United States should distribute humanitarian aid in Colombia where it is being stockpiled, while the opposition warned that blocking much-needed food and medicine could constitute crimes against humanity.

A day after the aid convoy arrived in the border city of Cucuta, President Nicolas Maduro ridiculed the United States for offering small amounts of assistance while maintaining sanctions that block some $10 billion of offshore assets and revenue.

Rival Juan Guaido, who is recognised by dozens of countries as Venezuela's legitimate leader, warned military officers against blocking the arrival of aid amid spiralling disease and malnutrition brought on by a hyperinflationary collapse.

"Take all that humanitarian aid and give it to the people of Cucuta, where there is a lot of need," Maduro said in a news conference. "This is a macabre game, you see? They squeeze us by the neck and then make us beg for crumbs."

"They offer us toilet paper, like (US&nbsp;President) Donald Trump threw at the people of Puerto Rico," he said at the conference, which experienced technical difficulties including a blackout and a microphone failure. He was referring to Trump's improvised 2018 aid distribution in the US&nbsp;territory following a hurricane, during which he threw rolls of paper towels.

Venezuela's dire situation has fuelled a political crisis that has peaked over the last month with Guaido invoking a constitutional provision to declare himself the legitimate, interim president.

The 35-year-old argues Maduro was re-elected last year in a sham vote and the country must hold new presidential elections.

More than 40 nations including the United States, major European powers and most of Latin America have recognised Guaido as the country's rightful head of state.

"I want to see how many military officers are willing to commit crimes against humanity by not allowing the lives of the most vulnerable to be saved, 250,000 to 300,000 are at risk of dying if they do not receive immediate attention," Guaido said during a gathering of university students.

Officials at a Cucuta warehouse organised staple foods and sanitary products into sacks during an event attended by US&nbsp;Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker and called on the armed forces to help it across.

The aid seems unlikely to move into Venezuela.

Humanitarian organizations have warned that attempting to force the aid into the country would be dangerous, and a top U.S. official on Thursday said Washington did not plan to do so.

The Red Cross urged Venezuelans not to politicize the aid issue, without saying how or if the aid would arrive.

In an ironic twist, a Venezuelan navy ship laden with equipment sent by Maduro's government to help Cuba rebuild after a tornado hit Havana last month arrived in the city's port on Friday, Cuban state media reported.

Cuba is one of Venezuela's few remaining allies in the region although the country retains the powerful backing of Russia, China and Turkey too, which have warned others against intervening in its domestic affairs.

The Trump administration last week issued sweeping sanctions against state oil company PDVSA, froze profits generated by refining subsidiary Citgo, and has vowed to starve Maduro's government of all revenue.

Maduro said blocking the OPEC nation's oil shipments would be economically and socially "catastrophic" for the country, adding that anyone who accepted a nomination from Guaido to posts at PDVSA or Citgo would "face justice."

European nations have been broadly critical of Maduro but have sought to strike a counterpoint to the aggressive U.S. stance by urging dialogue.

Maduro said he was willing to meet with envoys of the so-called International Contact Group, that is backed by the European Union, but said a statement from its first meeting on Thursday was partisan and ideological.

"You're deaf to the reality of a revolution with 20 years of democratic patrimony; you only follow the script written by the extreme right," he said.

Critics say three previous rounds of dialogue have allowed the ruling Socialist Party to stall for time without making major concessions on key issues including imprisoned opposition politicians and electoral transparency.

Guaido has said the time for dialogue has passed.

Venezuela's government on Friday said the United States should distribute humanitarian aid in Colombia where it is being stockpiled, while the opposition warned that blocking much-needed food and medicine could constitute crimes against humanity.

Venezuela's government on Friday said the United States should distribute humanitarian aid in Colombia where it is being stockpiled, while the opposition warned that blocking much-needed food and medicine could constitute crimes against humanity. A day after the aid convoy arrived in the border city of Cucuta, President Nicolas Maduro ridiculed the United States for offering small amounts of assistance while maintaining sanctions that block some $10 billion of offshore assets and revenue. Rival Juan Guaido, who is recognised by dozens of countries as Venezuela's legitimate leader, warned military officers against blocking the arrival of aid amid spiralling disease and malnutrition brought on by a hyperinflationary collapse. "Take all that humanitarian aid and give it to the people of Cucuta, where there is a lot of need," Maduro said in a news conference. "This is a macabre game, you see? They squeeze us by the neck and then make us beg for crumbs." "They offer us toilet paper, like (US President) Donald Trump threw at the people of Puerto Rico," he said at the conference, which experienced technical difficulties including a blackout and a microphone failure. He was referring to Trump's improvised 2018 aid distribution in the US territory following a hurricane, during which he threw rolls of paper towels. Venezuela's dire situation has fuelled a political crisis that has peaked over the last month with Guaido invoking a constitutional provision to declare himself the legitimate, interim president. The 35-year-old argues Maduro was re-elected last year in a sham vote and the country must hold new presidential elections. More than 40 nations including the United States, major European powers and most of Latin America have recognised Guaido as the country's rightful head of state. "I want to see how many military officers are willing to commit crimes against humanity by not allowing the lives of the most vulnerable to be saved, 250,000 to 300,000 are at risk of dying if they do not receive immediate attention," Guaido said during a gathering of university students. Officials at a Cucuta warehouse organised staple foods and sanitary products into sacks during an event attended by US Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker and called on the armed forces to help it across. The aid seems unlikely to move into Venezuela. Humanitarian organizations have warned that attempting to force the aid into the country would be dangerous, and a top U.S. official on Thursday said Washington did not plan to do so. The Red Cross urged Venezuelans not to politicize the aid issue, without saying how or if the aid would arrive. In an ironic twist, a Venezuelan navy ship laden with equipment sent by Maduro's government to help Cuba rebuild after a tornado hit Havana last month arrived in the city's port on Friday, Cuban state media reported. Cuba is one of Venezuela's few remaining allies in the region although the country retains the powerful backing of Russia, China and Turkey too, which have warned others against intervening in its domestic affairs. The Trump administration last week issued sweeping sanctions against state oil company PDVSA, froze profits generated by refining subsidiary Citgo, and has vowed to starve Maduro's government of all revenue. Maduro said blocking the OPEC nation's oil shipments would be economically and socially "catastrophic" for the country, adding that anyone who accepted a nomination from Guaido to posts at PDVSA or Citgo would "face justice." European nations have been broadly critical of Maduro but have sought to strike a counterpoint to the aggressive U.S. stance by urging dialogue. Maduro said he was willing to meet with envoys of the so-called International Contact Group, that is backed by the European Union, but said a statement from its first meeting on Thursday was partisan and ideological. "You're deaf to the reality of a revolution with 20 years of democratic patrimony; you only follow the script written by the extreme right," he said. Critics say three previous rounds of dialogue have allowed the ruling Socialist Party to stall for time without making major concessions on key issues including imprisoned opposition politicians and electoral transparency. Guaido has said the time for dialogue has passed.

Venezuela's Maduro spurns US aid, rival warns military not to block it

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