21 February 2019•Update: 22 February 2019
By Hasan Esen
CARACAS, Venezuela
President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday gave orders to close the border with Brazil in a bid to "protect the people."
He made the announcement in a live broadcast saying that similar measures may apply to the country's border with Colombia.
A row over humanitarian aid continues in the South American nation as the government refuses to let U.S. supplies in, saying it will lead to military intervention by Washington.
Noting Venezuela will continue to evaluate the closure of borders with neighboring countries, Maduro warned the Colombian army not to enter into a provocation.
The opposition argues aid should be allowed in since 300,000 people urgently need food and medicine and 2 million are facing health risks.
Self-proclaimed interim President Juan announced his followers on Saturday will try to force through convoys of U.S. aid from Colombia into Venezuela.
Maduro also said he would hold Colombian President Ivan Duque accountable for any violence Feb. 23 -- the announced date for “aid” to the country.
Earlier, Brazil followed Colombia and announced it would send "humanitarian aid" to the border with Venezuela.
Venezuelan defense chief Vladimir Padrino Lopez on Tuesday said troops remain on alert at the borders to guard against territorial violations, adding they would not take orders from other governments.
Venezuela has also closed its maritime border with three Dutch Caribbean islands -- Curacao, Aruba Bonaire -- ahead of the “foreign aid” operation.
declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 until new elections were held, and was recognized by Australia, Canada, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Argentina, Costa Rica and the U.S. The European Parliament took a step in the same direction.
Turkey, Russia, Iran, Cuba, China Bolivia reiterate support for Maduro, who vowed to cut all diplomatic and political ties with the U.S. following the diplomatic spat.
U.S. President Donald Trump pointed to military intervention as a of a number of choices he could use to help solve the crisis.
