Chilean President Says Part Of Humanitarian Aid Sent To Venezuela Crossed Country's Border

MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th February, 2019) A part of humanitarian aid sent to Venezuela managed on Saturday to cross the country's borders despite the obstacles created by the Venezuelan authorities, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said.

"A part of aid managed to cross the borders ... [Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro] is ready to sacrifice the life of his own people to illegally stay in power ... But all of us know that the power of freedom and democracy will govern in Venezuela," Pinera said at a press conference in the Colombian city of Cucuta.

The Venezuelan opposition earlier announced that the delivery of humanitarian aid to the country would begin on Saturday.

Maduro called the aid deliveries a ploy to topple his government.

The situation in crisis-torn Venezuela escalated on January 23 when the opposition leader, Juan Guaido, declared himself interim president, disputing last year's reelection of Maduro. Guaido was almost immediately recognized by the United States and some other countries. Russia, China, Mexico, among other nations, voiced support for Maduro, who, in turn, accused Washington of orchestrating a coup.