Berlin Condemns Maduro's Forces For Blocking Humanitarian Aid Meant For Venezuela

German authorities condemn the forces of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for forcibly blocking humanitarian aid from entering the country, German government deputy spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said on Monday

BERLIN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th February, 2019) German authorities condemn the forces of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for forcibly blocking humanitarian aid from entering the country, German government deputy spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said on Monday.

Attempts to bring in unauthorized aid into Venezuela from neighboring Colombia culminated in clashes on Saturday between Venezuelan law enforcement officers, who tried to prevent aid-filled trucks from crossing the country's border without permission, and protesters. These attempts also prompted Caracas to sever diplomatic and political relations with Bogota. Maduro has said he believes that the aid deliveries are a ploy to topple his government.

"The German government condemns the forcible blockade of humanitarian aid on Venezuela's border with Colombia and Brazil. As you know, High Representative of the EU [Federica] Mogherini released a statement on this topic yesterday.

We would like to emphasize once again that we strongly condemn the use of violence by the security forces of Maduro, and the involvement of police and militants to further intimidate the population is of particular concern," Demmer told a briefing.

Berlin urged the Venezuelan government to avoid any violence and allow humanitarian aid to enter the country, she added.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has dismissed allegations about a humanitarian crisis in the country and recalled that international law provided for deliveries of foreign humanitarian aid only in cases of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Caracas has also warned that the illegal entrance of any vehicle into Venezuelan territory would be considered an offense by the country's military officers.