WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 26th February, 2019) The United States will continue its efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to Venezuela and will provide an additional $56 million to US partners in the region, Vice President Mike Pence said during a Lima Group meeting on Monday.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has refused to allow any US-sponsored aid into the country, calling it a "fake show" and accusing Washington of trying to use it as a ploy to oust him from power. The United Nations and the Red Cross have urged Washington not to politicize humanitarian assistance and not to deliver aid without the consent of the Venezuelan government.
"Our efforts to date will not only continue, they will be increased," Pence said. "As we speak we are identifying new areas along the border where we can preposition additional aid for the struggling people of Venezuela."
The Vice President announced that the United States is providing an additional $56 million in funding for US allies in the region to help Venezuelan refugees. The United States, Pence added, has provided more than $139 million in aid to Venezuela in total including 400 tons of food and medicine to Colombia and Brazil.
On Saturday, attempts to force unauthorized aid into Venezuela led to clashes at the border which prompted Caracas to cut off diplomatic ties with neighboring Colombia. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez dismissed allegations that there is a humanitarian crisis and noted that, according to international law, foreign aid should only be delivered in cases of natural disasters and armed conflicts, unless the government requests it.
Last month, Maduro accused Washington of trying to orchestrate a coup after US-backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia and a number of other states reaffirmed their support for Maduro as Venezuela's only legitimate president after the United States and several allies recognized Guaido.
