Venezuela cuts diplomatic, political ties with Colombia

By Muhammed Emin Canik

CARACAS, Venezuela (AA) - Venezuela cut its diplomatic and political ties with Colombia, the country's president announced on Saturday.

Speaking in capital Caracas, Nicolas Maduro said he could no longer tolerate "Colombian territory being used for attacks against Venezuela".

He added: "For that reason, I have decided to break all political and diplomatic relations with Colombia’s fascist government.”

Maduro said Colombian diplomatic staff had 24 hours to leave the country after Colombia assisted self-proclaimed interim President Guaido to bring humanitarian aid into the country.

Venezuela ordered the temporary closure of the country’s border with Colombia late Friday.

Maduro said he would hold Colombian President Ivan Duque accountable for any violence on Feb. 23 -- the announced date for “aid” to the country.

Venezuela has also closed its maritime border with three Dutch Caribbean islands -- Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire -- ahead of the “foreign aid” operation.

Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 until new elections are held and was recognized by Australia, Canada, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Argentina, Costa Rica and the U.S. The European Parliament took a step in the same direction.

Turkey, Russia, Iran, Cuba, China and Bolivia reiterated their support for Maduro, who vowed to cut ties with the U.S. following the diplomatic spat.

U.S. President Donald Trump pointed to military intervention as a possibility among a number of choices he could use to help resolve the crisis.