Already on Wednesday it was announced that Venezuela has closed the air and sea route to the Dutch ABC Islands. Now President Nicolás Maduro lays down: He also lets the border with Brazil close. The government wants to prevent that provided by the US and demanded by the opposition aid deliveries come into the country.
Earlier, it was announced that Venezuela's self-proclaimed transitional president, Juan Guaidó, had set off with a bus convoy heading for the border with Colombia to bring foreign relief supplies into the country. These have been camped on the other side of the border for more than a week.
Together with opposition deputies Guaidó launched on Thursday morning in the capital Caracas in the direction of about 900 kilometers from the border, a spokesman said.
"We will return with boxes full of relief supplies"
"We break up with empty vehicles, but we will return loaded with boxes full of relief supplies!" said opposition MP Delsa Solorzano, who took part in the convoy.
Venezuela's humanitarian aid has become a plaything in the power struggle between Maduro and Guaidó. The opposition leader and self-proclaimed transitional president has given the government a deadline of Saturday to allow drugs and food, mainly US-supplied, to enter the country. The relief supplies are currently blocked in Colombia.
However, Maduro categorically refuses to accept US aid. He sees these as pretexts and deceptions to pave the way for a US-led military intervention.
Maduro attacks Trump
Maduro described the aid deliveries on Wednesday night as a political "show event" and accused US President Donald Trump of planning his fall: "They have invented alleged humanitarian aid from spoiled and carcinogenic foods and want to force them into the country," he said President.
Guaidó reiterated that relief supplies would also go against government resistance: "Humanitarian aid will come in, no matter what happens - by sea or by land," he said. However, he did not say exactly how the interim president, recognized by about 50 countries, wants to enforce this.
Two competing concerts at the border
In the meantime, both sides are planning big concerts on the Colombian border. On the initiative of British Virgin boss and billionaire Richard Branson on Friday in Cucuta on the Colombian side of the benefit concert "Venezuela Aid Live" take place, where donations are to be collected for the Venezuelan population.
International stars such as Alejandro Sanz and Miguel Bosé from Spain, Juan Luis Guerra from the Dominican Republic, Juanes and Carlos Vives from Colombia and the Puerto Rican Luis Fonsi, known for the hit "Despacito", are expected to perform.
The Venezuelan government announced meanwhile a concert under the motto "hands off Venezuela" in only about 300 meters distance on the Tienditas border bridge. Who should appear there, was not communicated. The concert will also start on Friday and last three days.