Aid disputed in Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido greets supporters Sunday after attending Mass in Caracas. Guaido, whom the U.S. recognizes as Venezuela’s rightful leader, urged his country’s military to use caution in a dispute with doctors over humanitarian aid. President Nicolas Maduro has vowed not to let the supplies be accepted.

CUCUTA, Colombia — Venezuelan doctors protested Sunday at the entrance to a bridge blocked by their nation’s military to demand that humanitarian aid be allowed to enter.

Carrying a giant Venezuelan flag, about two dozen doctors in white coats called on the military to remove a tanker and two cargo containers blocking the Tienditas International Bridge where humanitarian aid provided by the United States is being stored.

The doctors protested on the Colombia side of the border, saying they would face repercussions for holding a similar demonstration on the Venezuelan side.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido, the leader of the National Assembly who is recognized by four dozen nations as Venezuela’s rightful president, on Sunday urged the military to think carefully about how they will proceed.

“It depends on you,” he said to the military. “We’re not talking between the lines. We’re talking clearly and decisively, giving an order to the armed forces: To allow the aid in.”

President Nicolas Maduro has vowed not to let the supplies pass, saying Venezuela isn’t a nation of beggars. He contends the food, hygiene kits and emergency medical gear are part of a larger ploy by the United States to remove him from power.

AP/RODRIGO ABD

AP/FERNANDO VERGARA Venezuelan doctors shout slogans Sunday against the government of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro at the Tienditas International Bridge, which has been blocked by the Venezuelan military, near Cucuta, Colombia, across the border from Tachira, Venezuela.