Clashes at the Colombia–Venezuela Border

Cúcuta, Colombia, February 2019

On February 23, 2019, violent clashes erupted at the border between Colombia and Venezuela near the city of Cúcuta, as opposition groups attempted to bring humanitarian aid into Venezuela. The operation was backed by opposition leader Juan Guaidó and supported by several international actors, but was rejected by the government of Nicolás Maduro, which denied the existence of a humanitarian crisis.

Tensions escalated at key crossing points, including Tienditas Bridge, where Venezuelan security forces blocked access. Protesters gathered on both sides of the border, leading to confrontations involving tear gas, rubber bullets, and stones. Several people were injured during the clashes.

One of the most widely reported incidents was the burning of trucks carrying humanitarian aid. The cause of the fires became a subject of dispute, with different sides offering conflicting accounts. The images of burning aid convoys quickly spread globally, becoming a symbol of the broader political and humanitarian crisis.

The events in Cúcuta highlighted the deep political divisions in Venezuela and the growing international involvement in the crisis. The border remained closed, and the attempt to deliver aid by land ultimately failed.