Venezuela’s socialist Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) were filmed on Thursday stopping a caravan carrying interim President Juan Guaidó as he and other politicians traveled to Colombia to help transport aid into the country.
“Neighbors of the area and drivers who were affected by the situation confronted the soldiers in order to allow the mobilization of the politician,” noted El Nacional. “The officials intimidated the people with threats and tear gas, however, they were not successful and Guaidó managed to move forward.”
On Thursday, Guaidó led a group of over 80 lawmakers from the capital of Caracas to the Colombian border city of Cucutá, where they plan to defy the Maduro regime and help deliver humanitarian aid provided by the United States and other regional contributors. Maduro blocked the aid’s entry by ordering the military to place trailers across the Tienditas bridge that connects the two countries.
Opposition leaders say they have enlisted 600,000 volunteers to help deliver the aid into the crisis-stricken country.
Last week, volunteers successfully delivered 1.7 million portions of food for malnourished children and pregnant mothers, while other efforts to transfer food, medicine, and other essential supplies are underway. The Maduro-aligned military continues to engage in efforts to block its safe passage. On Thursday, aid convoys were attacked, intimidated, and blockaded at various military checkpoints. According to NTN24, at least one driver was seriously injured when a van carrying lawmakers traveled through Guanare, Portuguesa state.
#URGENTE Un conductor herido de gravedad cuando caravana de diputados que se traslada a la frontera fue atacada a pedradas la altura de Guanare, Portuguesa / vía Asamblea Nacional #22Feb pic.twitter.com/oQ1y24fnLV
— NTN24 Venezuela (@NTN24ve) February 22, 2019
Diputada @MBMartinezR informa que la noche de este jueves, habitantes de #Portuguesa esperan la caravana de parlamentarios que viajan a la frontera colombo venezolana para recibir la ayuda humanitaria #21Feb pic.twitter.com/J1YiKOH73A
— NTN24 Venezuela (@NTN24ve) February 22, 2019
Footage shared by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) showed one officer attempting to force a truck driver carrying the aid convoy out of his vehicle, although he was eventually stopped by protesters who pulled him away from the vehicle.
“We have identified this man who has disgraced himself by attacking peaceful aid convoy,” Rubio announced. “Today I will ask Dept. Of Homeland Security to put his name on a list & deny him visas now & in the future.”
If anyone in #Venezuela can identify this man dressed up as a soldier please send us his name. I want to make sure that when Maduro is gone he doesn’t wind up living in Doral or visiting Disney World. https://t.co/QSubJxQo2v
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 22, 2019
Last week, President Donald Trump, whose administration is leading regional efforts to remove the Maduro regime from power and initiate a transition to democracy, warned the Venezuelan military that they would “lose everything” if they kept trying to block the aid’s entry.
“You cannot hide from the choice that now confronts you,” he warned the military at a rally for Venezuelan exiles in Miami. “You can choose to accept President Guaidó’s offer of amnesty and live your life in peace with your country. But you must not block humanitarian aid.”
“Or you can choose the second path; continuing to support Maduro,” he continued. “You will find no safe harbor, no easy exit, no way out. You will lose everything.”
Follow Ben Kew on Facebook, Twitter at @ben_kew, or email him at bkew@breitbart.com.
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