Venezuela blocks Colombia border bridge

In the article "Tensions rise as Venezuela blocks border bridge in standoff over aid," written by Isa Soares, Natalie Gallon, and Laura Smith-Spark for CNN details the recent act of Venezuela closing off the border bridge between itself and Colombia. The United States recently sent over a truck of supplies to Cucuta, Colombia hoping that it will eventually reach the citizens in the blockade. Indeed, the Venezuelan President Nicolas Madura has refused to let any aid into the country. This goes against the self declared President Juan Guaido, who has asked for the humanitarian aid of other countries and listed Cucuta as a drop off location. Madura has been refusing the much needed aid by saying that Venezuela "is not beggars." It is also thought that Madura is closing the border as a means to avoid an invasion to throw him out of power. All of this conflict comes out of the recent Venezuelan election with President Nicolas Madura "winning" and President Juan Guaido declaring himself president of Venezuela. Other countries declared Guaido the rightful President of Venezuela with the Unites States being one of them. It will be interesting to see how this conflict pans out and if the Venezuelan people will get the humanitarian aid they desperately need.

Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/07/americas/venezuela-aid-blocked-bridge-intl/index.html

Alyssa Dahnke