Venezuela denies claims of setting fire to aid trucks

By Hasan Esen

CARACAS, Venezuela (AA) – Venezuela has denied claims of setting fire to trucks carrying humanitarian aid, the country’s information minister said on Sunday.

Speaking at a news conference, Jorge Rodriguez denounced false information that mainstream media has been spreading about recent events in the South American country.

Rodriguez said two trucks were set on fire on the Colombian territory before reaching Venezuelan army forces.

He also shared footage taken by protesters and drones related to Saturday’s violence.

Rodriguez said Molotov cocktails thrown by dissidents caused the fire.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lashed out at Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, saying his administration's "days are numbered."

"We’re very hopeful in the days and weeks and months ahead the Maduro regime will understand that the Venezuelan people have made its days numbered," Pompeo told in an interview with Fox News on Sunday.

Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said: “We strongly call on law enforcement and security bodies to show restraint, avoid use of force and allow for the entry of aid.”

“There are worrying reports of unrest, acts of violence and a growing number of victims, in particular in the border areas and among the Pemon indigenous community,” Mogherini said.

Meanwhile, Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said a total of 285 people were injured during the initiatives to bring "humanitarian aid" across the border into Venezuela, adding that 30 of them were citizens of Colombia.

The number of Venezuelan soldiers taking refuge in Colombia rose to 61, Trujillo added.

After Colombia assisted self-proclaimed interim President Guaido to bring humanitarian aid into the country, Nicolas Maduro said on Saturday 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. Colombian diplomatic staff had 24 hours to leave the country.”

The Colombian foreign minister responded on Twitter, saying his country does not recognize Maduro’s decision to cut political and diplomatic ties with his country, and it recognizes Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela.

Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 until new elections were 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 reiterate support for Venezuelan President Maduro, who vowed to cut all diplomatic and political ties with the U.S. following the diplomatic spat.

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