US calls for immediate reopening of bridge blocking aid from entering Venezuela

Caracas [Venezuela], Feb 7 (ANI): Washington on Wednesday (local time) lashed out at the inconsiderate move by the Venezuelan army of barricading the Tienditas international bridge on the border with Colombia and called for its immediate reopening to let the humanitarian aid enter into the South American nation.
“The Venezuelan people desperately need humanitarian aid. The U.S. & other countries are trying to help, but #Venezuela’s military under Maduro's orders is blocking aid with trucks and shipping tankers. The Maduro regime must LET THE AID REACH THE STARVING PEOPLE. #EstamosUnidosVE” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted.
The remarks by the US Secretary came amid reports that the Venezuelan army had placed two blue shipping containers, an orange fuel tanker, and a makeshift fence in the middle of the bridge.
Fox News reported the Tienditas international bridge was considered to be a planned location to welcome relief efforts into the country by the Opposition-backed Venezuelan National Assembly.
Embattled President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela has many times rebuffed reports regarding the dire impacts of the country’s political and economic crisis, whereby people have been coping up with the lack of basic necessities, including access to food and medicine.
However, Opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom the US recognised as the legitimate Head of the country, has taken many efforts to push humanitarian aid in to the country as well as restore democracy in Venezuela, despite Maduro’s objections.
Maduro, who still enjoys the support of the army and recognises Guaido as a puppet of the US, blamed the latter for colonising the country and exploiting its oil resources.
"We are not beggars," Maduro said.
Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo on Wednesday condemned the attempts to block the aid from entering Venezuela.
"Committing such a crime would give even more reason for the unified countries to ask the International Criminal Court to investigate Maduro," Trujillo added. (ANI)