Venezuela crisis: Pompeo demands aid corridor opened

2019-02-07 04:41:57

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has demanded Venezuela reopen a bridge on the Colombian border for an aid shipment organised by the opposition. Venezuelan soldiers have blocked the crossing ahead of a delivery arranged by opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who has declared himself interim president. President Nicolás Maduro, who has the support of the army, has rejected letting it into the country. In a tweet, Mr Pompeo demanded Mr Maduro let the aid through. "The Maduro regime must LET THE AID REACH THE STARVING PEOPLE," the post reads. Venezuela is in the grip of a worsening humanitarian crisis. Mr Guaidó is head of Venezuela's National Assembly and says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate. He has secured the backing of over 40 countries, including the US and most Latin American and European nations. Mr Maduro still has the support of China and Russia. AFP.