Rubio warns not to block aid

CUCUTA, Colombia — U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio on Sunday visited a border staging point for U.S. aid to Venezuela and warned soldiers loyal to socialist President Nicolás Maduro who would commit a “crime against humanity” if they block entry of the packages that are being channeled through Maduro’s rivals.

The U.S. has used military and civilian aircraft to fly in food and personal care aid — an effort that is meant to undermine Maduro and dramatize his government’s inability to overcome shortages of food and medicine.

The aid is supposed to be distributed in Venezuela on Feb. 23 by supporters of congressional leader Juan Guaidó, who is recognized the U.S. and dozens of other countries as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

Maduro is using troops to block aid from entering, saying it’s unnecessary and part of coup to overthrow him.

Luis Robayo / AFP / Getty Images Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., warns Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his loyalists against blocking U.S. humanitarian aid that is stockpiled at a collection center along the Colombian border.