Venezuela crisis: Pompeo demands aid corridor opened

Thousands of people are fleeing the worsening economic crisis in Venezuela

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has demanded Venezuela open 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.

• The bridge of desperation

• Why the military is backing Maduro

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.

What is happening at the border?

The Venezuelan military had used a tanker truck and cargo containers to block access to the Tienditas bridge which links Cúcuta, Colombia to Ureña, Venezuela, opposition politician Franklyn Duarte told AFP news agency.

"Troops from the armed forces are blocking the pass", he said. The bridge, a joint project between Colombia and Venezuela, was finished in 2016 but never opened as relations between the two neighbours had soured.

Opposition leader Juan Guiadó claims up to 300,000 people face death if the aid is not delivered

Venezuelan opposition leaders appealed to the military to allow aid trucks to cross the border.

"You know there's a red line, you know well there's a limit, you know that medicines, food and medical supplies are that limit," said lawmaker Miguel Pizarro.

• The 'colectivo' groups supporting Maduro

Pictures shared on social media appeared to show residents confronting soldiers in Ureña.

Mr Maduro said humanitarian aid would be the start of a US-led invasion, insisting that "no-one will enter, not one invading soldier".

How will the aid scheme work?

Mr Guaidó does not control any territory in Venezuela so, instead, he is planning to set up collection centres in neighbouring countries where Venezuelans have fled to.

He said he wanted to set up an international coalition to gather aid at three points, and press Venezuela's army to let it into the country.

In a tweet on Sunday, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said plans were being advanced.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said in an interview the use of military force remained "an option".

In his State of the Union speech, he reiterated his support for Mr Guaidó, saying: "We stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom."

Correction 25 February 2019: This article has been amended to make clear that while construction of Tienditas Bridge was completed in 2016, it was never opened due to worsening relations between Venezuela and Colombia.