Venezuelan Navy's Threat To Open Fire Turns Puerto Rico's Ship With Aid Back - Reports

MEXICO CITY (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 24th February, 2019) A vessel carrying humanitarian aid from Puerto Rico to Venezuela has been forced to turn back after the Bolivarian republic's Navy threatened to open fire if the ship entered the country's territorial waters, media reported on Saturday.

According to tv Venezuela broadcaster, the ship remains in international waters, awaiting further instructions.

The report comes as the Venezuelan opposition tried to ensure deliveries of the US-sponsored humanitarian aid to the country via neighboring Colombia and Brazil, which resulted in numerous clashes on Saturday.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro refuses to allow in unauthorized aid deliveries, saying that they are a ploy to topple his government. The government closed first the land border with Brazil and the sea border with the Lesser Antilles and then shut several border crossings with Colombia.

The United Nations and international aid groups have similarly warned against politicizing humanitarian aid.