Venezuela: Clashes continue along Colombian and Brazilian borders Feb. 24 /update 4

Event

Fighting continued on the Francisco de Paula Santander bridge, which links the border towns of Ureña (Táchira state) and Cúcuta (Colombia), on Sunday, February 24, as Venezuelan security forces fired tear gas at a small group of anti-government protesters. According to Colombian officials, at least four people died and more than 300 people were injured in nationwide clashes over the previous three days, including two at the Santa Elena de Uairen (Bolívar state) crossing between Venezuela and Brazil. Colombia closed its border crossings along the Venezuelan border until Monday, February 25, to allow for a damage assessment following the unrest.

Forces loyal to President Nicolás Maduro successfully blocked aid shipments on Saturday, February 23, setting fire to two aid trucks as they attempted to cross the bridge. The bloodshed prompted officials from 14 regional states to call an emergency session of the Lima Group on Monday, where US Vice President Mike Pence will meet with Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaidó to discuss additional actions against the Maduro regime. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have not called for additional protests, leading many to speculate that more diplomatic options are under consideration. Nevertheless, further violence along the Colombian and Brazilian borders is possible in the near term as groups continue to attempt to deliver aid into Venezuela. A heightened security presence is expected at all points of entry into Venezuela.

Context

The Venezuelan government indefinitely closed the Brazilian border on February 21 and parts of the Colombian border on February 22 after opposition leader Juan Guaidó announced plans to delivery humanitarian aid into the country. President Maduro announced on February 23 that Venezuela would cut ties diplomatic ties with Colombia. Venezuelan officials also closed the maritime border with Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire on February 19 to prevent deliveries of humanitarian aid.

The ongoing crisis was spurred by Maduro's inauguration to a second term as president on January 10 following last year's contested election, prompting the National Assembly to declare a national emergency. At least 50 foreign governments, including the US, Canada, and Brazil, among others, have since recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the interim head of state. Guaidó has reportedly coordinated several deliveries of humanitarian aid from neighboring states, which have been blocked by the Maduro regime.  

Advice

Travelers are advised to keep abreast of the situation and to refrain from attempting to cross the Venezuelan-Brazilian border until the situation normalizes.