Venezuela’s Maduro says breaks relations with Colombia, expels employees from Colombian embassy
Published time: 23 Feb, 2019 19:04Edited time: 23 Feb, 2019 19:05
Maduro had earlier closed the border with Colombia in the run-up to Saturday’s attempts by the opposition to deliver trucks of ‘humanitarian aid’ from Colombia, in defiance of Caracas. A part of the border where a forced crossing might take place has been the scene of a tense confrontation between opposition activists and security forces all day.
Addressing a crowd of thousands of supporters, Maduro condemned his Colombian counterpart Ivan Duque for meddling in Venezuela’s internal affairs, calling him a “devil in the flesh”.
“Patience is exhausted, I can’t bear it anymore, we can’t keep putting up with Colombian territory being used for attacks against Venezuela. For that reason, I have decided to break all political and diplomatic relations with Colombia’s fascist government,” Maduro said, adding that the staff at the Colombian embassy has 24 hours to leave his country.
ALSO ON RT.COMTensions flare at Venezuela-Colombia border amid aid row (VIDEO)The Venezuelan government sees the attempted delivery as a publicity stunt meant to bolster the opposition and to potentially trigger a major uprising in the country. There are also fears that the convoy may be used to smuggle weapons to arm the opposition.
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ALSO ON RT.COMTensions flare at Venezuela-Colombia border amid aid row (WATCH LIVE)DETAILS TO FOLLOW