Opposition will try to get U.S. aid to Venezuela on February 23

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For a week, a question has gripped the Colombian-Venezuelan border – what will happen to the 50-tonnes of aid sitting in a Colombian warehouse, destined for Venezuela? And on Tuesday, the answer was given – it's going to stay for at least another 10 days in that warehouse.

This is the aid donated by the U.S. government, made up of clothes, food and hygiene products, and has been denied entry to Venezuela by the government.

For days, the Venezuelan opposition has promised that it will somehow get the aid into the country. And on Tuesday they organized protests in Venezuela and Colombia to demand that President Nicolas Maduro allow the aid to enter.

A man holds a banner that reads "Thank you international community" near a warehouse where humanitarian aid for Venezuela is being stored near the Tienditas cross-border bridge between Colombia and Venezuela in Cucuta, February 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

A small group of the Venezuelan opposition protested near the border crossing where the aid is being stored. A larger protest was held in the city of Cucuta, where people sang songs demanding Maduro resign.

In the marches in Venezuela, the opposition leader Juan Guaido announced that the opposition would attempt to force the aid into Venezuela on February 23.

But for some that's too late.

A man crosses the Francisco de Paula Santander International Bridge from Cucuta in Colombia to Urena in Venezuela, February 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

In Santander Park, a woman who gave her name as Nancy said: "The aid must go to Venezuela now. We can't wait that long."

The Venezuelan government says it will not let the aid into the country as it is part of an attempt to stage a coup and topple the administration of Maduro.

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans cross the border every day, many of whom are joining the over one million Venezuelans who have relocated in Colombia to find a new life. And thousands return each day, many with bags stuffed with basics they say they can't find back home, such as eggs, rice and sugar.