Four killed in Venezuela protests

International Desk: At least four people were killed and 200 others injured during an anti-government protest in Venezuela on Saturday.

Fifty-one people were also arrested during Saturday’s demonstrations as they clashed with security forces at the Colombian border.

Protesters were calling for government to open borders and allow the U.S. humanitarian aid into the South American country, Foro Penal, a Venezuelan NGO said in a statement.

Earlier on Saturday, Venezuela cut its diplomatic and political ties with Colombia.

Speaking in capital Caracas, Nicolas Maduro said he could no longer tolerate "Colombian territory being used for attacks against Venezuela".

Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaido alleged that the first batch of aid had entered the country via its border with Brazil.

Venezuela ordered the temporary closure of the country’s border with Colombia late Friday.

Maduro said he would hold Colombian President Ivan Duque accountable for any violence on Feb. 23 -- the announced date for “aid” to the country.

Venezuela has also closed its maritime border with three Dutch Caribbean islands -- Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire -- ahead of the “foreign aid” operation.

Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 until new elections were held, and was recognized by Australia, Canada, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Argentina, Costa Rica and the U.S. The European Parliament took a step in the same direction.

Turkey, Russia, Iran, Cuba, China, and Bolivia reiterate support for Venezuelan President Maduro, who vowed to cut all diplomatic and political ties with the U.S. following the diplomatic spat.

U.S. President Donald Trump pointed to military intervention as a possibility of a number of choices he could use to help solve the crisis.

Source: Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/Feb 24, 2019/AI