2 Killed as Maduro Sends Troops to Block Aid Convoys at Columbia Border

Opposition supporters unload humanitarian aid from a truck that was sent on fire after clashes between opposition supporters and Venezuela's security forces at Francisco de Paula Santander bridge on the border line between Colombia and Venezuela as seen from Cucuta, Colombia, Feb. 23, 2019. Marco Bello/Reuters

CUCUTA, Colombia/URENA, Venezuela—At least two people were killed and trucks loaded with foreign aid were set ablaze after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro deployed troops and armored vehicles to turn back humanitarian assistance at border crossings with Colombia and Brazil.

Maduro said he was breaking diplomatic relations with Colombia and ordered its diplomatic staff to leave Venezuela within 24 hours because of its government’s assistance to opposition leader Juan Guaidó.