US Slams Venezuelan Military Over Use Of Force Against Civilians Near Brazil's Border

The United States condemns the recent use of force against unarmed civilians by the Venezuelan Armed Forces near the Brazilian border, the White House said

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd February, 2019) The United States condemns the recent use of force against unarmed civilians by the Venezuelan Armed Forces near the Brazilian border, the White House said.

Media reported on Friday, that the Venezuelan servicemen arrived in the village of San Francisco de Yuruani, located close to the border with Brazil, ahead of the planned deliveries of humanitarian aid, which was stockpiled in Brazil among other locations and coordinated by the Venezuelan opposition. At the border area, the military opened fire at indigenous people who gathered outside. The local residents responded by capturing three soldiers. Reports said that two Venezuelans, who engaged in clashes with the military, had been killed while at least 22 had been injured and 7 people had been hospitalized in critical condition.

"The United States strongly condemns the Venezuelan military's use of force against unarmed civilians and innocent volunteers on Venezuela's border with Brazil. Press reports indicate that the military has killed two indigenous people and has injured many other people attempting to keep the border open to humanitarian aid," the White House said in a statement on Friday.

The statement noted that Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido had requested international aid to support Venezuela amid a crisis, while President Nicolas Maduro had been closing the borders and cracking down on those seeking to bring the aid to Venezuela.

"Egregious violation of human rights by Maduro and those who are following his orders will not go unpunished. The United States strongly urges the Venezuelan military to uphold its constitutional duty to protect the citizens of Venezuela. The Venezuelan military must allow humanitarian aid to peacefully enter the country. The world is watching," the statement pointed out.

Tensions have escalated in Venezuela ahead of Saturday's due date, set Guaido, for US humanitarian aid to be brought into the country. Maduro has not authorized the aid deliveries and has maintained that the US assistance is part of Washington's plan to overthrow his government.