Maduro severs diplomatic ties with Columbia

ANI  |  Others 

on Saturday (local time) severed diplomatic relations with in the wake of the violence along the two countries' border.

"My patience has run out. I can't continue to tolerate the aggressions against that are being carried out by the We are severing diplomatic relations with Colombia," quoted Maduro as saying.

Maduro made these remark while addressing a rally in

Recently, violence broke out between locals and Venezuela's security forces along the Columbian borders, which is still backing Maduro. At least five people were killed in clashes with the security forces on Saturday.

At least 285 people were hurt after the fired tear gas and at protestors, reported

Various trucks carrying supplies were blocked on the borders. Earlier in the day, US Mike Pompeo, while condemning Maduro for stopping aid tweeted "What kind of a sick tyrant stops from getting to hungry people? The images of burning trucks filled with aid are sickening."

Protestors have also claimed that the trucks were also burnt down by security forces. Meanwhile, the US has announced that it was preparing to bring in aid into through a different route.

The South American nation is crippled with a political and economic crisis since January.

The political crisis began in on January 24 when Guaido marched against Venezuelan and announced himself as

The economic crisis in the nation, coupled with a shortage, has strengthened an anti-Maduro sentiment across the South American nation, with the opposition accusing Maduro of "usurping power."

A defiant Maduro, who is backed by the country's powerful military, claimed that the opposition protests are an attempt by the US to stage a coup and overthrow him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sun, February 24 2019. 13:55 IST