Maduro Reveals Videos Proving 'Crimes' Committed By Opposition In Saturday Border Clashes

Maduro Reveals Videos Proving 'Crimes' Committed by Opposition in Saturday Border Clashes

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has shown to foreign lawmakers and young politicians who have arrived in Venezuela, several video clips that, according to him, prove that the country's opposition had committed "crimes" on February 23, when conflict over the so-called humanitarian aid escalated

BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th February, 2019) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has shown to foreign lawmakers and young politicians who have arrived in Venezuela, several video clips that, according to him, prove that the country's opposition had committed "crimes" on February 23, when conflict over the so-called humanitarian aid escalated.

The Venezuelan opposition tried on Saturday to force US-sponsored aid into Venezuela through its borders with Colombia and Brazil, both of which support the opposition. The failed attempts resulted in clashes between the Venezuelan National Guard officers, who prevented trucks from crossing the country's border without permission, and pro-aid protesters. Maduro, who has rejected the unauthorized aid as Washington's attempts to intervene in Venezuela and oust him from power, claimed that the opposition and long-time US ally Colombia had gathered special gangs of bandits at the border.

The first video Maduro provided featured people, with their faces covered with scarfs, throwing Molotov cocktails at Venezuelan police and military officers. The second shows a long table with the equipment necessary to make Molotov cocktails.

Finally, the third video featured one of the trucks with the so-called humanitarian assistance that had been burnt down at the border.

Maduro stated that Colombian "criminals" had burnt down their own truck.

In the video, the truck is shown to contain rebar, wire and nails, which, according to Maduro proves that the United States and Colombia had non-humanitarian aims in Venezuela.

During Tuesday's UN Security Council meeting, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza also said that equipment necessary to set up barricades had been found in the truck, following its inspection.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has meanwhile said that international law provided for deliveries of foreign humanitarian aid only in cases of natural disasters and armed conflicts and denied the allegations of a humanitarian crisis in the country.

Maduro said earlier on Tuesday that self-proclaimed Venezuelan interim president, opposition leader Juan Guaido, backed by the United States, must face trial after returning to the country from Colombia.