Violent clashes erupt in Venezuela

International Desk: Venezuela's self-declared interim president and opposition leader, Juan Guaido, arrived in Bogota, Colombia, on Sunday ahead of a Monday meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence.

Guaido, who is battling President Nicolas Maduro for control of the country, made the trip after a violent weekend in which the Venezuelan military blocked food and supplies from crossing the border from Colombia.

The Colombian foreign minister said 285 people were hurt, with 37 requiring hospitalization, after the Venezuelan National Guard fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters near the Colombian border Saturday.

National Assembly Representative and Guaido supporter Adriana Pichardo told CNN that at least five people were also killed in clashes with Venezuelan security forces.
CNN cannot independently confirm the number of fatalities, but Michelle Bachelet, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said there were four deaths and 300 injuries Friday and Saturday.

Sunday was quieter. Small clashes broke out again at a town near the border with Colombia. CNN's team in Ureña, Venezuela, saw dozens of people throwing rocks toward Venezuela's National Guard, who fired back with rubber bullets. There was no report on injuries.

Maduro put out a defiant message Sunday.

"The people are united in the streets, mobilized and alert in every corner of the country," he said on Twitter. "I call on men and women of goodwill, not to lower their guard and to stay in the fight to preserve Venezuela's peace. Long live the Rebel homeland!"

Agencies


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