In pictures: Clashes break out in Venezuela border towns

24 February 2019

Venezuelan border towns were overcome with violence on Saturday, as tensions over the delivery of humanitarian aid reached breaking point.

President Nicolás Maduro has partly sealed the country's border to try to stop aid stockpiles being carried over by supporters of the opposition's Juan Guaidó - who declared himself interim leader last month.

Here are some of the most dramatic photographs of the day's events.

A demonstrator gestures in front of Venezuelan national policemen standing guard at the Simon Bolivar international bridge, in Cucuta — Image caption,
A demonstrator faces police at the Simon Bolivar international bridge - connecting Venezuela to Cucuta, Colombia

Images from crossing points around the country showed security forces and protesters in stand-offs against each other.

Protesters used shoes and stones as projectiles and also set fires to try to deter military blockages. Security forces responded by pushing back and using tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

A demonstrator affected by tear gas is carried out from the Simon Bolivar international bridge, in Cucuta, Colombia, — Image caption,
A woman is overcome by tear gas at the bridge in Cucuta

A protestor holds a projectile — Image caption,
A protestor with projectiles in Pacaraima on the border with Brazil

Mr Guaidó has shared messages on social media saying some aid has been able to pass in from collection points in Brazil and Colombia, despite government resistance.

Local media said supporters jumped barricades to cross the border in defiance of President Maduro's closures.

Opposition supporters unload humanitarian aid from a truck that was set on fire after clashes between opposition supporters and Venezuela's security forces at Francisco de Paula Santander bridge on the border between Colombia and Venezuela as seen from Cucuta, — Image caption,
Some images appeared to show aid trucks that had managed to pass, being burned

Bolivarian police are accompanied by Colombian police after they defected and entered the country seeking help — Image caption,
Defecting members of security forces from the state of Bolivar being escorted by Colombian police

A protester holds up an injured and bandaged hand — Image caption,
Hundreds of injuries were reported

A demonstrator hits barbed wire during clashes with security forces in Urena, Venezuela — Image caption,
A dramatic image shows a protester running into barbed wire strung across a street in Ureña

As protesters gathered at the border, President Maduro held a rally in support of his government in the country's capital Caracas.

He was photographed dancing at the event and stood at a podium emblazoned with the words #TrumpHandsOffVenezuela - referencing the US support of Mr Guaidó.