Venezuela crisis: US considers fresh sanctions after pro-Maduro troops BLOCK aid convoys

Three have died and almost 300 civilians were injured after riots broke out between security forces and protestors today, in fiery response after military officers blocked essential supplies from crossing the border. Juan Guaido, recognised by most Western nations as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, urged foreign powers to consider “all options” in overthrowing Mr Maduro as the country’s leader.

Mr Guaido made the comments ahead of a meeting of the regional Lima Group of nations in Bogota on Monday, which US Vice President Mike Pence will attend.

Mr Pence will announce “concrete steps” and “clear actions to address the crisis in Venezuela”, a senior US administration official said on Sunday.

The official added: “What happened yesterday is not going to deter us from getting humanitarian aid into Venezuela.”

The Brazil Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “Brazil calls on the international community, especially those countries that have not yet recognized Juan Guaido as interim president, to join in the liberation effort of Venezuela.”

Meanwhile, China and Russia have blasted US sanctions in support of Mr Maduro’s regime.

On Saturday, Mr Maduro closed off the border with Brazil preventing humanitarian aid from arriving in the country while stepping up military presence.

Trucks piled with US food and medicine supplies were met with tear gas and rubber rounds, with two of the vehicles engulfed in flames.

Venezuelan’s Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez accusing “drugged-up protestors” of setting fire to the convoys.

In a tweet, Colombian President Ivan Duque denounced the “barbarity and violence” and said Monday’s summit would discuss “how to tighten the diplomatic siege of the dictatorship in Venezuela.”

Mr Maduro has denied a crisis in Venezuela, despite the state facing mass food shortages, lack of medicine supplies and rising inflation rates.

Earlier last month, Mr Maduro declared himself Venezuela’s new interim President, with – causing a worldwide backlash as US President Donald Trump pledged his support for opposition leader Mr Guaido.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt slammed Mr Maduro for closing Venezuela’s borders as “disgusting and wholly unacceptable.”

source: express.co.uk