Emergency aid from US for Venezuela has arrived

TRUCKS carrying US humanitarian aid destined for Venezuela arrived at the Colombian border, where opposition leaders vowed to bring them into their troubled nation despite objections from president Nicolás Maduro.

Two lorries loaded with boxed emergency food and medicine rolled into the Colombian border city of Cucuta, which is just across the river from Venezuela, on Thursday.

The focus of Venezuela’s political fight now hinges on whether Mr Maduro will allow the aid to enter the country.

Mr Maduro denies a humanitarian crisis exists and says Venezuela is not a country of beggars.

The Venezuelan military has barricaded a bridge between the two nations with a tanker and two cargo trailers in an apparent attempt to block the aid.

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who requested the international assistance, said it was necessary in a country troubled by shortages of food and medicines.

Mr Guaidó, who has the backing of some 40 countries including the US and Ireland, is seeking to oust Mr Maduro following a 2018 presidential election that many have denounced as a sham.

About a dozen human rights activists stood at the gated entrance to the Tienditas International Bridge in Colombia, demanding Mr Maduro allow the emergency aid in.