US military planes land near Venezuela border with aid

US military planes land near Venezuela border with aid




12 hrs ago










Video by Reuters


CUCUTA, Colombia — The U.S. military airlifted tons of humanitarian aid to a Colombian town on the Venezuelan border Saturday as part of an effort meant to undermine socialist President Nicolas Maduro and back his rival for the leadership of the South American nation.

Two of three scheduled Air Force C-17 cargo planes that took off from Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida had landed in Cucuta. That border city, swollen by a flood of migrants from Venezuela, is a collection point for aid that's supposed to be distributed by supporters of Juan Guaido, the congressional leader who is recognized by the U.S. and many other nations as Venezuela's legitimate president. He has called for the aid.

"This wasn't the first, and it won't be the last," said USAID Administrator Mark Green, standing on the tarmac in Cucuta at a ceremony to receive the aid. "More is on the way."

Commercial planes had been used for earlier shipments of aid, which is aimed at dramatizing the economic crisis — including hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine — gripping Venezuela. Critics say last year's re-election was fraudulent, making Maduro's second term illegal.

"We are saving lives with these airplanes," said Lestor Toledo, an exiled politician who is coordinating the international aid effort for Guaido.

Maduro has been using the military, which remains loyal, to help him block the aid from entering Venezuela, describing it as "crumbs" from a U.S. government whose restrictions have stripped his administration of control over many of its most valuable assets.

"They hang us, steal our money and then say 'here, grab these crumbs' and make a global show out of it," Maduro told The Associated Press on Thursday. "With dignity we say 'No to the global show.' Whoever wants to help Venezuela is welcome, but we have enough capacity to pay for everything that we need."

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A C-17 cargo plane loaded with humanitarian commodities takes off from Homestead Air Reserve Base in route to Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, in Homestead, Fla. The United States is airlifting and pre-positioning additional humanitarian commodities to provide relief to tens of thousands of Venezuelans suffering from severe food and medicine shortages. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

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1/3 SLIDES  The Associated Press


A C-17 cargo plane loaded with humanitarian commodities takes off from Homestead Air Reserve Base in route to Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, in Homestead, Fla. The United States is airlifting and pre-positioning additional humanitarian commodities to provide relief to tens of thousands of Venezuelans suffering from severe food and medicine shortages. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

2/3 SLIDES  Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters


Humanitarian aid for Venezuela is carried after being unloaded from a U.S. Air Force plane at Camilo Daza Airport in Cucuta, Colombia February 16, 2019.

3/3 SLIDES  Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images




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His vice president has alleged, without evidence, that the aid packages are contaminated. Green on Saturday called the allegations "absurd."

Saturday's 180-ton shipment includes high-energy food products or hygiene kids of soap, toothpaste and other goods for more than 25,000 people.

Guaido spoke to a crowd of supporters gathered in eastern Caracas on Saturday and vowed to form caravans of activists to reach the border and bring in aid on Jan. 23. He also called for people to gather in cities across the country to receive the aid — and called for the armed forces to allow it into the country.

In the crowd was Anibrez Peroza, a 40-year-old nurse, who said she was ready if necessary to go to Cucuta in a caravan to bring in the aid.

"We have to do something to save so many people who are suffering and dying for lack of medicine," she said. Peroza wept as she described a dehydrated child dying in her arms for lack of a catheter to rehydrate him.

The U.S. and widespread European recognition of Guaido complicates Maduro's efforts to find funds to keep his government, and its own food programs, running.

The U.S. has placed Venezuela's U.S. assets, including oil company Citgo, under Guaido's control and bans financial transactions by Maduro-controlled entities. Scores of Venezuelan officials also face personal financial sanctions in the United States.

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Slide 1 of 55: An anti-government protester covers her face with a Venezuelan flag, and uses toothpaste around her eyes to help lessen the effect of tear gas, during clashes with security forces after a rally demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. The head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress declared himself interim president at the rally, until new elections can be called.

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1/55 SLIDES  Fernando Llano/AP Photo


Venezuela's political turmoil has further deepened amid growing tension over President Nicolas Maduro's future as the country's leader. Maduro started a second term on January 10 following a widely boycotted election last year that many foreign governments refused to recognize.
On January 23, Juan Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself the interim president.
(Pictured) An anti-government protester covers her face with a Venezuelan flag, and uses toothpaste around her eyes to help lessen the effect of tear gas, during clashes with security forces after a rally demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 23, in Caracas, Venezuela. 

2/55 SLIDES  Bonilla Cal/AFP/Getty Images


Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza (C) announces the creation of a group of countries that include China and Russia to defend the UN Charter and the rights of member states after US threats of a military invasion, at the UN headquarters on Feb. 14, in New York.

3/55 SLIDES  Manaure Quintero/Reuters


People look at the broadcast of the meeting of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognized as the country's rightful interim ruler, with workers in Caracas, Venezuela, on Feb., 14.

4/55 SLIDES  Manaure Quintero/Reuters


Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognized as the country's rightful interim ruler, attends a session of Venezuela's National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, on Feb. 13.

5/55 SLIDES  Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo


U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams (foreground) testifies as demonstrators protest, during the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing on Venezuela on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 13.

6/55 SLIDES  Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images


Archbishop of Merida cardinal, Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo offers a press conference at El Rosal church in Caracas, on Feb. 13. Venezuela's Catholic Church said on Wednesday that the letter from Pope Francis leaked by Italian press in which he responds harshly to President Nicolas Maduro's new request for mediation, reflects the disappointment of frustrated dialogue attempts.

7/55 SLIDES  Jepayoa Delita/Barcroft Media/Getty Images


Indonesian activists hold placards during a protest in support of Venezuela's government outside the US embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia on Feb. 12.

8/55 SLIDES  Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images


Venezuelan opposition leader and self declared acting president Juan Guaido speaks to supporters during a rally to press the military to let in US humanitarian aid, in eastern Caracas on Feb. 12.

9/55 SLIDES  Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images


Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader and self declared acting president Juan Guaido take part in a rally to press the military to let in US humanitarian aid, in eastern Caracas on Feb. 12.

10/55 SLIDES  Eko Siswono Toyudho/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images


Indonesian Movement for the People (Gebrak) hold a demonstration in front of the United States Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Feb. 12.

11/55 SLIDES  Michele Spatari/NurPhoto/Getty Images


Left-wing activists hold a banner reading 'Maduro legitimate president' during a demonstration in favour of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro outside the Italian Senate in Rome, Italy, on Feb. 12.

12/55 SLIDES  Vladimir Simicek/AFP/Getty Images


Protesters hold a Russian flag and signs reading "Hands off Venezuela" and "Stop USA Army" in front of the Presidental palace on Feb. 12 in Bratislava, Slovakia, during a visit of the US State Secretary who is on a week-long tour across Central Europe.

13/55 SLIDES  Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images


A Venezuelan holds a placard reading "Trump, Don't Leave Us" during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro at the Tienditas International Bridge in Cucuta, Colombia, across the border from the small town of Tienditas, in Venezuela, on Feb. 12.

14/55 SLIDES  Lokman Ilhan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images


People march from Morelos square to Bolivar Square to show their support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a protest organized by United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) youth branch in Caracas, Venezuela on Feb. 12.

15/55 SLIDES  Luis Robayo/AFP//Getty Images


Men run behind a truck after crossing the Simon Bolivar International Bridge from Tachira in Venezuela to Cucuta in Colombia, on Feb. 11.

16/55 SLIDES  Diana Sanchez/AFP/Getty Images


Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo (L) and Humberto Calderon, appointed as Venezuelan ambassador to Colombia by opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by some 50 countries as Venezuela's interim president, offer a press conference at San Carlos Palace in Bogota on Feb. 11.

17/55 SLIDES  Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images


Colombian national police officers stand guard at Tienditas bridge on the border between the Colombian city of Cucuta and Tachira in Venezuela, on Feb. 11.

18/55 SLIDES  Fernando Vergara/AP Photo


Volunteers prepare free lunches for Venezuelan migrants at the "Divina Providencia" migrant shelter in La Parada, near Cucuta, on the border with Venezuela, Colombia on Feb. 11.

19/55 SLIDES  Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images


People wait in Cucuta, Colombia, after crossing the Simon Bolivar International Bridge from Tachira in Venezuela, on Feb. 11.

20/55 SLIDES  Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters


Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognized as the country's rightful interim ruler, attends a religious event to pray for Venezuela along with his wife Fabiana Rosales pn Feb. 10 in Caracas, Venezuela. 

21/55 SLIDES  Marco Bello/Reuters


A child wearing a U.S. flag attends a gathering of Venezuelan doctors at the entrance of a warehouse where humanitarian aid for Venezuela is being stored near the Tienditas cross-border bridge between Colombia and Venezuela on Feb. 10 in Cucuta, Colombia.

22/55 SLIDES  Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters


Juan Guaido is surrounded by supporters as leaves a church after attending a religious event to pray for Venezuela on Feb. 10 in Caracas, Venezuela. 

23/55 SLIDES  RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images


A volunteer carries a bag with US humanitarian aid goods in Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Tachira, Venezuela on Feb. 8. 

24/55 SLIDES  Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters


A girl looks over a poster painted with the flag of Venezuela, at the Simon Bolivar international bridge in Cucuta, Colombia on Feb. 9.

25/55 SLIDES  Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters


People cross into Venezuela over the Simon Bolivar international bridge in Cucuta, Colombia on Feb. 9.

26/55 SLIDES  Fernando Vergara/AP Photo


Colombian police patrol during an anti-smuggling operation, in Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela on Feb. 9.

27/55 SLIDES  Carlos Eduardo Ramirez/Reuters


A woman holds an image of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro as she attends a rally with pro-government supporters demanding what they call an end to U.S. aggression against Venezuela, in San Antonio, Venezuela on Feb. 8.

28/55 SLIDES  Carlos Eduardo Ramirez/Reuters


Venezuelan National Guards stand guard at the entrance of the Tienditas cross-border bridge between Colombia and Venezuela in Tienditas, Venezuela, on Feb. 8.

29/55 SLIDES  Fernando Llano/AP Photo


Venezuelans line up outside of the migration office as they stream to cross the border into Colombia, in San Antonio on Feb. 8.

30/55 SLIDES  Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo


Venezuela's self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido, center, shakes hands with a supporter as he arrives for to meet with students at the Central University of Venezuela, in Caracas, on Feb. 8.

31/55 SLIDES  Fernando Vergara/AP Photo


Colombian firefighters organize humanitarian aid to be sent to Venezuela, at a warehouse next to the Tienditas International Bridge, near Cucuta, Colombia, on Feb. 8.

32/55 SLIDES  Fernando Llano/AP Photo


A man shout shouts "Welcome humanitarian aid" as he passes a line of Venezuelan army soldiers and National Guard officers that block the main access to the Tienditas International Bridge that links Colombia and Venezuela, near Urena on Feb. 7.

33/55 SLIDES  Fernando Vergara/AP Photo


A Venezuelan migrant waves at Colombian police as he walks past in Los Patios, near Cucuta, Colombia, on Feb. 7.

34/55 SLIDES  Fernando Llano/AP Photo


Girls stand close to a group of Venezuelan Army soldiers and National Guard officers that are blocking the main access to the Tienditas International Bridge, near Urena on Feb. 7.

35/55 SLIDES  Matilde Campodonico/AP Photo


Venezuelans living in Uruguay carry signs that reads in Spanish "No more false dialogue" during a demonstration in favor of an international intervention in Venezuela, in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Feb. 7.

36/55 SLIDES  Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images


Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) delivers a speech next to his wife Cilia Flores, on the signature campaign he launched to urge the United States to put a halt to interventionist threats against his government, at Bolivar square in Caracas, on Feb. 7.

37/55 SLIDES  Pablo Porciuncula/AFP/Getty Images


Protesters hold a demonstration against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Feb. 7.

38/55 SLIDES  Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images


People cross the Simon Bolivar International Bridge on the border between Tachira in Venezuela and Cucuta in Colombia, on Feb. 7.

39/55 SLIDES  Schneyder Mendoza/AFP/Getty Images


Venezuelan migrants are served a meal at the Divina Providencia migrant shelter in Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela, on Feb. 7.

40/55 SLIDES  Pablo Porciuncula/AFP/Getty Images


People demonstrate in favor of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with a sign reading "No to Yankee intervention" outside the Presidency building in Montevideo, on Feb. 7, where a meeting to negotiate a solution to the Venezuelan crisis takes place.

41/55 SLIDES  Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images


People cross illegally from Tachira, Venezuela to Cucuta, Colombia, under the Simon Bolivar International Bridge, on Feb. 7.

42/55 SLIDES  Pablo Porciuncula/AFP/Getty Images


Uruguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rodolfo Nin Novoa (L) and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini speak during a meeting on Venezuela in Montevideo, on February 7.

43/55 SLIDES  Pablo Porciuncula/AFP/Getty Images


People demonstrate with a sign reading "Venezula's oil belongs to Venezuelans" (L) outside the Presidency building in Montevideo, on Feb. 7, where a meeting to negotiate a solution to the Venezuelan crisis takes place.

44/55 SLIDES  Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images


Children wave Venezuelan national flags, as supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gather at Bolivar square in Caracas to take part in a signature campaign to urge the United States' to put a halt to intervention threats against Maduro's government, on Feb. 6.

45/55 SLIDES  Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images


Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gather at Bolivar square in Caracas to take part in a signature campaign to urge the United States' to put a halt to intervention threats against Maduro's government, on Feb. 6.

46/55 SLIDES  Stefano Montesi/Corbis/Getty Images


Venezuelans demonstrate in support of Juan Guaidò and the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in front of Parliament on Feb. 6, in Rome, Italy.

47/55 SLIDES  Manaure Quintero/Reuters


Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido speaks during a meeting with representatives of FEDEAGRO, the Confederation of Associations of Agricultural Producers of Venezuela, in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 6.

48/55 SLIDES  Lokman Ilhan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images


Motorcyclists gather for a protest organized by United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) to show their support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro near the Venezuelan National Assembly on Feb.5 in Caracas, Venezuela.

49/55 SLIDES  Orlando Sierra/AFP/Getty Images


Venezuelan Ambassador Filinto Duran, draped in the Honduran flag next to a photo of late former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, speaks to the press as he gets ready to leave Honduras, at the Toncontin International Airport on Febr. 5.

50/55 SLIDES  Juan David Moreno Gallego/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images


Money is seen as Venezuelan migrants wait at the border between Colombia and Venezuela in Paraguachon, in the department of La Guajira on Feb. 4 in Colombia.

51/55 SLIDES  Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images


Venezuela's opposition leader and self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido (L) is greeted by deputies upon arriving for a session of the National Assembly on Feb. 5 in Caracas.

52/55 SLIDES  Ayhan Mehmet/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images


Protesters gather to stage an anti-US protest on political crisis in Venezuela, in front of the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece on Feb. 5.

53/55 SLIDES  Miraflores Palace/Handout/Reuters


Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, wave while they walk next to soldiers during a ceremony to commemorate the 27th anniversary of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's failed coup attempt in Maracay, Venezuela, on Feb. 4.

54/55 SLIDES  Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images


Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza (R) delivers a speech next to the brother of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Adan Chavez, at the Foreign Ministry in Caracas, on Feb. 4.

55/55 SLIDES  Lars Hagberg/AFP/Getty Images


Anti-Maduro protesters show their support for opposition leader Juan Guaido outside the 10th Lima Group in Ottawa, Ontario, on Feb. 4.

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Gisela Salomon reported from Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida, and Fabiola Sanchez reported from Caracas, Venezuela.



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