The Americas

Venezuela's Guaido makes renewed promise to deliver aid

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido, center, arrives for a rally in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, March 28, 2019. The Venezuelan government on Thursday said it has barred Guaido from holding public office for 15 years, though the National Assembly leader brushed off the measure and said it would not derail his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido talks during a meeting with electricity experts in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, March 28, 2019. The Venezuelan government on Thursday said it has barred Guaido from holding public office for 15 years, though the National Assembly leader responded soon afterward that he would continue his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido says medical aid will be coming into the South American country.

Guaido on Friday described the imminent arrival of aid in Venezuela as the result of his movement's "pressure and insistence," though he said it wasn't enough to alleviate the nation's humanitarian crisis.

The opposition leader did not provide details on the logistics of the shipment nor say whether any agreement had been made with the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

On Feb. 23, Guaido attempted to deliver U.S.-provided assistance across the border from Colombia and Brazil in a direct challenge to Maduro's rule.

But the embattled socialist said the aid was part of a coup attempt to oust him, and Venezuelan security forces blocked it from entering during clashes with protesters.