Latest: Venezuela breaks all diplomatic ties with Colombia – Civil unrest as protesters engage in violent battles
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Update: Battles between protesters and Venezuela’s national guard are taking place on the border with Colombia as trucks try to deliver tonnes of emergency aid.
Smoke billowed from burning barricades, built to block the aid from getting in, and demonstrators have been throwing rocks at heavily armed police.
Tear gas was fired at those trying to clear the blockade on the road up to the Francisco de Paula Santander bridge in the Venezuelan border town of Urena.
People later scrambled to save boxes of food and medicine from burning trucks on the bridge, with claims national guardsmen had torched them when they crossed into Venezuela.
Earlier:
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro announced he’s breaking all diplomatic ties with neighboring Colombia amid deepening political turmoil.
Maduro spoke Saturday as opposition leader Juan Guaido launched an effort to bring international humanitarian aid into Venezuela from across the border in Cucuta, Colombia.
Maduro denies a humanitarian crisis exists, saying Guaido is a puppet of the United States which seeks to colonize Venezuela and exploit its oil.
Guaido made public appearances throughout the day alongside Colombia’s President Ivan Duque, an outspoken critic of Maduro and close U.S. ally.
Maduro asked for the blessing of a mass of loyal supporters in Caracas.
He then ordered Colombia’s diplomats out of the country within the next 24 hours.
