Scribble

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro broke diplomatic relations with Colombia in February as tensions escalated along the two countries' borders over aid for Venezuela. Maduro denies that a humanitarian crisis exists in Venezuela and suggests that aid efforts are part of a US plot to orchestrate a coup.

With his country facing a severe economic crisis, Maduro is under increasing pressure from the United States and other countries to step down.

The opposition-controlled National Assembly has called for nationwide marches and new elections after accusing Maduro's government of "usurping power."

The United States and dozens of other countries have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate president.

Guaido greets supporters upon arriving at a Caracas airport on March 4. He crossed the border to Colombia in late February before embarking on a South American tour, meeting the presidents of Colombia, Brazil, Paraguay and Ecuador, along with US Vice President Mike Pence. By doing so, Guaido ignored a travel ban imposed on him by the country's Supreme Court.

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Guaido shakes hands with Pence in Bogota, Colombia, on Monday, February 25. The room was filled with humanitarian aid destined for Venezuela. Guaido's wife, Fabiana Rosales, is pictured at left.

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Demonstrators clash with Venezuelan soldiers at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge in Cucuta, Colombia, on Saturday, February 23.

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Supporters of President Maduro take part in a march in Caracas on February 23.

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Guaido supporters take part in a march in Caracas on February 23. Venezuelan security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd demanding to cross the Venezuela-Colombia border, which was ordered closed by Maduro.

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Demonstrators push a bus that was set on fire during clashes with the Venezuelan National Guard in Urena, Venezuela, on February 23.

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Maduro waves the national flag during a pro-government march in Caracas on February 23. During the rally at the Venezuelan capital, Maduro told supporters he is breaking all diplomatic relations with Colombia and is calling for its ambassadors and consuls to leave Venezuela. Maduro recently began a second term after a 2018 vote that his political opposition and many in the international community denounced as a sham.

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People attempt to salvage packages from a truck loaded with humanitarian aid after it was set ablaze on a bridge between Cucuta, Colombia, and Urena, Venezuela, on February 23.

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Venezuelan opposition supporters protested in Caracas on Tuesday, February 12, calling on Maduro to let humanitarian aid into the economically crippled country.

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Guaido addresses the crowd in Caracas on February 12.

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A man wearing a Venezuelan flag sits on a traffic light during the demonstration in Caracas on February 12.

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Guaido waves to supporters during the rally in Caracas on February 2.

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An anti-government protester wears glasses with a Venezuelan flag motif at the demonstration in Caracas on February 2.

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Protesters gather for the Caracas rally on February 2.

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Maduro supporters gather in Caracas on February 2.

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Opposition demonstrators protest against Maduro's government on Wednesday, January 30.

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In this handout photo released by the Miraflores Presidential Press Office, Maduro flashes a "V for victory" hand gesture after arriving at the Fort Tiuna military base in Caracas on January 30.

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Members of the National Police line up to guard the entrance of Venezuela's Central University in Caracas during an anti-government protest on January 30.

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Guaido speaks to reporters in Caracas on January 30. The United States and more than a dozen other countries have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate ruler.

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A Maduro mural is seen in the Petare slum of Caracas on Tuesday, January 29.

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Guaido listens to deputy Rafael Veloz during a session at the National Assembly in Caracas on January 29. The Assembly met to debate a legal framework for creating a transitional government and calling new elections. Simultaneously, Venezuela's attorney general asked the Supreme Court to freeze Guaido's assets and bar him from leaving the country.

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A view of the National Assembly building in Caracas on January 29.

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The president of Venezuela's Supreme Court, Maikel Moreno, speaks at a news conference in Caracas on January 29.

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A man pumps fuel at a gas station in Caracas on January 29. A day earlier, the United States announced sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A.

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Supporters of Venezuela's opposition hold up letters that read "Justice" at a rally to hear Guaido speak in Caracas on Saturday, January 26.

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Guaido speaks to reporters after attending Mass in Caracas on Sunday, January 27.

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Government supporters in Caracas hold a rally in support of Maduro on January 26.

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Maduro holds a news conference in Caracas on Friday, January 25. The Venezuelan strongman has accused Guaido and the United States of trying to orchestrate a coup against him.

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Portraits of former Venezuelan leaders Simon Bolivar and Hugo Chavez hover in the background as Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, bottom left, addresses a news conference in Caracas on Thursday, January 24. Venezuela's top military officials swore their allegiance to Maduro after other nations recognized Guaido as head of state.

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A man wrapped in a Venezuelan flag raises his arms in front of security forces during anti-government protests in Caracas on Wednesday, January 23.

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Opposition supporters in Caracas protest Maduro on January 23.

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Opposition supporters react to tear gas as they take part in the Caracas rally on January 23. Sporadic clashes erupted, but Maduro's military response to the protests seemed more measured than in the past.

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Police secure an area in Caracas on January 23.

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A National Police officer fires rubber bullets in Caracas.

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People raise their hands to show solidarity with Guaido, who was declaring himself interim president on January 23.

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A wounded protester in Caracas on January 23.

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Security forces stand in a street full of stones after clashing with demonstrators in Caracas.

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Maduro, speaking to a crowd of supporters at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, holds up a document that says his government is breaking off diplomatic ties with the United States. "We cannot accept the invasive policies of the empire, the United States, the policies of Donald Trump," he said to cheers from the crowd on January 23. "Venezuela is a land of liberators."

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