Paraguay

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Venezuela has said that its border with Colombia has been partially closed, shortly after opposition leader Juan Guaidó defied a travel ban to cross it.

Vice PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Delcy RodriguezContent ='JJ Lin'> tweeted to say the "total, temporary closure" was due to serious threats against the country's sovereignty and security.

Tensions have been rising over a row about the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Two PeopleContent ='JJ Lin'> were killed by Venezuelan security forces on SaturdayContent ='JJ Lin'> near The BorderContent ='JJ Lin'> with Brazil .

The violence was condemned by the United StatesContent ='JJ Lin'> government, which said in a statement: "The Venezuelan military must allow humanitarian aid to peacefully enter the country. The WorldContent ='JJ Lin'> is watching. "

Mr Guaidó, the leader of the country's opposition-dominated National AssemblyContent ='JJ Lin'> , last month declared himself the country's interim leader.

He has since won the backing of dozens of nations, including the US. He has called the rule of PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Nicolas MaduroContent ='JJ Lin'> constitutionally illegitimate, claiming that Mr Maduro's re-election in 2018 was marred by voting irregularities.

What happened on Friday?

Hundreds of tonnes of humanitarian aid sitting just outside Venezuela's borders have become a flashpoint between Mr Guaidó and PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Maduro.

Mr Maduro has so far refused to allow the aid, which includes food and medicine, to cross over into Venezuela. Mr Guaidó has vowed that hundreds of thousands of volunteers will help bring it in on SaturdayContent ='JJ Lin'> .

Mr Guaidó (Centre ) alongside Chile's PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Sebastian PineraContent ='JJ Lin'> (left) and ParaguayContent ='JJ Lin'> 's PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Mario Abdo Benitez (right) at a Cucuta aid warehouse

On Friday, rival concerts were held just 300m (980ft) away from each other on either side of the Venezuelan-Colombia border.

Mr Guaidó turned up at Venezuela Aid Live in Cucuta, organised by British businessman Richard BransonContent ='JJ Lin'> , on Friday.

He was greeted there by The PresidentsContent ='JJ Lin'> of Colombia, Chile and ParaguayContent ='JJ Lin'> - Three of the nations who have recognised the 35-year-old lawmaker as interim PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> .

He alleged that he was able to cross over on Friday with The HelpContent ='JJ Lin'> of the Venezuelan armed forces. The ClaimContent ='JJ Lin'> is significant as PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Nicolás Maduro has been able to retain power largely because of his military support.

Hours after his appearance, The AnnouncementContent ='JJ Lin'> about the closure of bridges in Tachira state was made.

It FollowsContent ='JJ Lin'> a similar announcement made on Thursday about the closure of The BorderContent ='JJ Lin'> with Brazil - where another aid collection is being raised.

Violent clashes broke Out ThereContent ='JJ Lin'> on Friday morning after members of an indigenous community reportedly confronted Venezuelan troops in the southern village of Kumarakapay.

Witnesses said that troops opened fire on individuals who tried to block a road to prevent military vehicles from passing.

Human RightsContent ='JJ Lin'> campaigners said soldiers shot and killed Two PeopleContent ='JJ Lin'> and wounded 15 others.

An ambulance photographed responding to violent clashes near The BorderContent ='JJ Lin'> with Brazil

A spokeswoman for UN Secretary-General Antonio GuterresContent ='JJ Lin'> said he had a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign MinisterContent ='JJ Lin'> Jorge ArreazaContent ='JJ Lin'> on Friday in New YorkContent ='JJ Lin'> , in which he urged authorities to refrain from using Lethal ForceContent ='JJ Lin'> against demonstrators.

Why is the aid delivery contentious?

Economic conditions have deteriorated rapidly since PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Maduro took power in 2013.

The UN says about Three million people have fled the country over The LastContent ='JJ Lin'> few years.

Hyperinflation has caused the cost of essentials to soar, leaving many unable to afford basics like food and medicine.

Mr Guaidó has said the aid deliveries are necessary to stop Venezuelans dying. He has vowed to get his supporters to mobilise en-masse to get it in on SaturdayContent ='JJ Lin'> .

'Deeply uncertain' day ahead

Analysis by Katy Watson, Bbc NewsContent ='JJ Lin'> South AmericaContent ='JJ Lin'> correspondent

This is The Day Venezuela's opposition has been waiting for. A Day that will test the loyalty of the country's armed forces towards Nicolas MaduroContent ='JJ Lin'> and determine his future.

Lorries laden with aid are expected to set off from both Colombia and Brazil and attempt to cross The BorderContent ='JJ Lin'> . A ship carrying aid is also travelling from Puerto RicoContent ='JJ Lin'> .

Throughout Venezuela, people will gather at military barracks to ask soldiers for their help in the aid effort.

Until NowContent ='JJ Lin'> , senior officers have remained loyal to Mr Maduro - But with pressure being heaped on them to help the Venezuelan people, will they listen to their leader or change sides, support Juan GuaidoContent ='JJ Lin'> and open the borders? These next few days are deeply uncertain.

PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Maduro denies there is any Crisis and has branded the aid plans a US-orchestrated show.

Performers at his rival concert on Friday performed in front of a backdrop that said #TrumpHandsoffVenezuela, the AFP news agency reports.

Please upgrade your browser to view this Content .

The US PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> has led the effort to recognise Mr Guaidó as PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> , and has implemented economic sanctions to put pressure on PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Maduro's government.

At a speech earlier This WeekContent ='JJ Lin'> , he urged the Venezuelan military to switch sides and abandon their support of The PresidentContent ='JJ Lin'> Content ='JJ Lin'> .

He has repeatedly reiterated that "all options are open" in regards to the US response to The UnfoldingContent ='JJ Lin'> Crisis .

colombia, venezuela crisis, venezuela, juan guaidó

Source of news: bbc.com