Aid showdown: Venezuela opposition prepares to deliver goods
Posted February 23, 2019 6:00 am
CUCUTA, Colombia (AP) - Venezuelans frustrated over their nation's crippling food and medical shortages are expected to join opposition leaders Saturday in a potentially risky push to deliver international aid that Nicolas Maduro has refused to accept into the country.
The opposition is calling on masses of Venezuelans to help trucks carrying the nearly 200 metric tons of humanitarian assistance delivered largely by the United States over the last two weeks across several border bridges in Colombia.
Once the trucks reach the border they'll face a crucial test: Whether the military standing guard on the other side will let them through.
"We think it's going to enter," opposition leader David Smolansky said in the lead up to the push.
Government supporters flash heart-hand signals during the "Hands off Venezuela" concert at the Tienditas International Bridge, in Venezuela on the border with Colombia, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Venezuela's power struggle is set to convert into a battle of the bands Friday when musicians demanding Nicolas Maduro allow in humanitarian aid and those supporting the embattled leader's refusal sing in rival concerts being held at both sides of a border bridge where tons of donated food and medicine are being stored. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
The Associated Press
Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido, arrives at the Venezuela Aid Live concert on the Colombian side of the Tienditas International Bridge near Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
The Associated Press
Gusi, from left, Carlos Vives and Santiago Cruz, hold a Venezuelan national flag as they perform at the "Live Aid Venezuela" concert at the Tienditas International Bridge on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, on the border with Venezuela. British billionaire Richard Branson organized the mega concert, which features dozens of Latin musicians performing on a giant stage on one side of what Colombian authorities have renamed the "Unity" bridge. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
The Associated Press
Ricardo Montaner performs at the "Live Aid Venezuela" concert at the Tienditas International Bridge on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, on the border with Venezuela. British billionaire Richard Branson organized the mega concert, which features dozens of Latin musicians performing on a giant stage on one side of what Colombian authorities have renamed the "Unity" bridge. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
The Associated Press
Carlos Vives performs at the "Live Aid Venezuela" concert at the Tienditas International Bridge on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, on the border with Venezuela. British billionaire Richard Branson organized the mega concert, which features dozens of Latin musicians performing on a giant stage on one side of what Colombian authorities have renamed the "Unity" bridge. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
The Associated Press
Colombian Army snipers cover the Venezuela Aid Live concert on the Colombian side of the Tienditas International Bridge near Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
The Associated Press
Diosdado Cabello, President of Venezuela's Constituent Assembly, talks to supporters during the first day of the "Hands off Venezuela" three-day music festival at the Tienditas International Bridge, in Urena, Venezuela, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, on the border with Colombia. Venezuela's power struggle is set to convert into a battle of the bands Friday when musicians demanding Nicolas Maduro allow in humanitarian aid and those supporting the embattled leader's refusal sing in rival concerts being held at both sides of a border bridge where tons of donated food and medicine are being stored. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
The Associated Press
Government supporters chant anti-U.S. slogans during the first day of the "Hands off Venezuela" three-day music festival at the Tienditas International Bridge, in Urena, Venezuela, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, on the border with Colombia. Venezuela's power struggle is set to convert into a battle of the bands Friday when musicians demanding Nicolas Maduro allow in humanitarian aid and those supporting the embattled leader's refusal sing in rival concerts being held at both sides of a border bridge where tons of donated food and medicine are being stored. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
The Associated Press
Government supporters gather during the first day of the "Hands off Venezuela" three-day music festival at the Tienditas International Bridge, in Urena, Venezuela, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, on the border with Colombia. Venezuela's power struggle is set to convert into a battle of the bands Friday when musicians demanding Nicolas Maduro allow in humanitarian aid and those supporting the embattled leader's refusal sing in rival concerts being held at both sides of a border bridge where tons of donated food and medicine are being stored. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
The Associated Press
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