MEXICO CITY (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 27th February, 2019) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Colombia and the Venezuelan opposition of creating gangs for attacks on the Venezuelan border on February 23, when the opposition tried to forcefully bring unauthorized US-sponsored aid into Venezuela from Colombia.
"Gangs of Colombian criminals, armed formations and Venezuelan thugs were set up to attack [the Venezuelan] border on February 23. But they did not pass and they shall never pass. Hands off Venezuela, we demand respect for our sovereignty and territory," Maduro said in a statement, broadcast via Periscope late on Tuesday.
The attempt to deliver the so-called aid resulted in clashes between the Venezuelan National Guard officers, who prevented trucks with aid from crossing the country's border without permission, and pro-aid protesters, who tried to help deliver the aid into Venezuela.�
Four people were killed on the border with Brazil, which has been collecting aid as well, according to Venezuelan non-governmental organization Criminal Forum. Head of the Organization of American States Luis Almagro, in turn, said that at least 335 people had been injured in border clashes between law enforcement officers and protesters.
