Humanitarian aid used as weapon in Maduro-Guaido conflict
Desperately needed aid being stockpiled at Venezuela's door is at the heart of a political duel between the two men fighting to lead the oil-rich nation: Juan Guaido and Nicolas Maduro.
Guaido, recognized as Venezuela's interim president by around 50 countries, has pressed the all-critical military to allow the mostly American humanitarian aid to reach the most vulnerable population, or around 300,000 people.
Maduro insists the shortages plaguing the country are caused by Washington's punitive sections, and he has vowed to stop the "spectacle of fake humanitarian aid."
The aid "is at the heart of the struggle between two pillars of power," said political scientist Luis Salamanca.
"This struggle is playing out as concerns the future of the armed forces. Guaido is trying to get the military on his side, while Maduro tries to keep it behind him."
Using a tanker truck, two container trucks and barriers, the army has been blocking the Tienditas border bridge since Thursday.
Several hundred meters from there on the Colombia side are the hangars where the emergency aid is being stockpiled.
For John Magdaleno of the Polity consultancy, the confrontation between the two men is a "major event" that "is inevitably leading toward an escalation" between the government and the opposition, as well as between Maduro and the countries supporting his adversary.
"In the end, it's in the hand of the United States. They are the ones who can use force," Magdaleno said.