Hugo Carvajal

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Venezuelan soldiers send people back as they try to cross The BorderContent ='JJ Lin'> from Brazil

Venezuela's PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Nicolás Maduro has closed The BorderContent ='JJ Lin'> with Brazil amid a row over humanitarian aid.

The embattled leader said he could also shut The Key border with ColombiaContent ='JJ Lin'> to stop the opposition bringing in relief.

Venezuela's inflation rate has seen prices soar, leaving many Venezuelans struggling to afford basic items such as food, toiletries and medicine.

PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Maduro denies any crisis and calls the aid delivery plans a US-orchestrated show.

His ally Russia has accused the US of trying to arm Venezuela's opposition.

Rival concerts will be held on both sides of a Bridge linking Venezuela and ColombiaContent ='JJ Lin'> later on Friday.

On the Colombian side, an Event will be held to raise money for Venezuela. At the same time, Mr Maduro's government will hold its own concert, just 300m (980ft) away.

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó and his allies hope to collect food and medicine being gathered in neighbouring Brazil and ColombiaContent ='JJ Lin'> on Saturday, in defiance of PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Maduro.

Head of the National AssemblyContent ='JJ Lin'> , Mr Guaidó declared himself interim leader during anti-government protests last month and is recognised by dozens of countries, including the US and most Latin American nations.

Brazil border: Aid showdown

The BorderContent ='JJ Lin'> crossing with Brazil remained closed on Friday morning but local G1 website reported that from the Brazilian city of Pacaraima on foot using an unofficial route.

Mr Maduro announced on Thursday that The BorderContent ='JJ Lin'> would be closed "completely and absolutely" until further notice and said he had been considering a "total closure" of The BorderContent ='JJ Lin'> with ColombiaContent ='JJ Lin'> .

Brazil had earlier said that, in co-ordination with the US, food and medicine would be available to be collected by "the government of acting PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Juan Guaidó in Venezuelan trucks driven by Venezuelans".

Please upgrade your browser to view this Content .

ColombiaContent ='JJ Lin'> border: Battle of the bands

British entrepreneur Sir Richard BransonContent ='JJ Lin'> has organised a concert near the Tienditas Bridge crossing at Cúcuta hoping to raise about $100m (£77m) to buy food and medicine for Venezuelans.

Venezuela Aid Live, he said, has been organised at The RequestContent ='JJ Lin'> of Mr Guaidó and another opposition leader, Leopoldo López, who is under House ArrestContent ='JJ Lin'> . About 250,000 people are expected to attend.

The Venezuelan government has erected a stage on its side of The CrossingContent ='JJ Lin'> for its Hands Off Venezuela Event .

The Branson concert is on the Colombian side of Tienditas Bridge . . . and a Venezuelan government stage has gone up not Far AwayContent ='JJ Lin'>

More ThanContent ='JJ Lin'> three million Venezuelans have fled in recent years as the country grapples with hyperinflation and shortages of essential goods, the UN says.

Despite denying there is any humanitarian crisis, Mr Maduro announced This WeekContent ='JJ Lin'> that 300 tonnes of aid would be shipped from its ally Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria ZakharovaContent ='JJ Lin'> said the attempt to deliver aid could spark violence and be used as a pretext by the US to remove Mr Maduro.

Citing unspecified information, she also accused the US and its Nato allies of discussing How To arm the Venezuelan opposition and claimed US Special ForcesContent ='JJ Lin'> and equipment were being deployed near the country.

Genuine help or Trojan HorseContent ='JJ Lin'> ?

By Katy Watson, BBC South AmericaContent ='JJ Lin'> correspondent in Caracas

There is No DoubtContent ='JJ Lin'> this has become a political issue. Juan Guaidó and his supporters want to spread the word about how important The ForeignContent ='JJ Lin'> humanitarian aid is. PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Maduro accuses it of being a Trojan HorseContent ='JJ Lin'> .

There is a feeling of optimism among many Venezuelans at the moment - an energy that has not existed in the country for a long time. And The HopeContent ='JJ Lin'> that Saturday may be the start of a new path.

But if the stand-off drags on, The FearContent ='JJ Lin'> is that this Positive EnergyContent ='JJ Lin'> that has revived Mr Maduro's critics will wane, as will the interest of The InternationalContent ='JJ Lin'> community, and that's what Mr Guaidó needs to achieve regime change.

People want to know about a Plan B - if indeed Mr Guaidó has thought of one. Otherwise, The HopeContent ='JJ Lin'> here will soon turn to despair.

Guaidó Heads to Cúcuta

Mr Guaidó is leading a convoy that left the capital, Caracas, on Thursday, to Cúcuta, Some 800km (500 miles) away.

He has said 600,000 volunteers have already signed up to help carry aid into Venezuela while the to the Colombian border area.

Venezuela's military has so far resisted calls to abandon Mr Maduro, in power since 2013.

However, former Military IntelligenceContent ='JJ Lin'> chief Hugo CarvajalContent ='JJ Lin'> called on the military to break with The PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Content ='JJ Lin'> and to allow aid in. In a video posted online, The CongressmanContent ='JJ Lin'> recognised Mr Guaidó as "PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> in charge" and issued a stinging rebuke to Mr Maduro.

"You've killed hundreds of Young PeopleContent ='JJ Lin'> in The StreetsContent ='JJ Lin'> for trying to claim the rights you stole - this without even counting The DeadContent ='JJ Lin'> for lack of medicines and security. "

Mr Guaidó's Aides in Washington said 11 Venezuelan diplomats based in the US had defected and declared their support for Him .

brazil, humanitarian aid, colombia, nicolás maduro, venezuela crisis, venezuela, juan guaidó

Source of news: bbc.com