BBC World Service Online

World Update

News

News and issues making the headlines each day.

World Update: Venezuela Crisis: Defectors fear for families under Maduro government

Magazines & Reviews

Venezuela Crisis: Defectors fear for families under Maduro government

25/02/2019 GMT

BBC World Service - World Update, Venezuela Crisis: Defectors fear for families under Maduro government

Latin American leaders to meet with Venezuela's government and opposition over the crisis

Latin American leaders to meet with Venezuela's government and opposition party to discuss the political and humanitarian crisis in the country.

Some of the one hundred Venezuelan soldiers who've defected to Colombia have told the BBC they fear for the safety of their families under President Nicolas Maduro's government.  One officer said there were many others in the armed forces who wanted to defect and he hoped they would follow him.  Latin American leaders have expressed their anger at the Venezuelan president's refusal to allow humanitarian aid into the country.  They're due meet in Colombia later today to discuss further measures.  They'll be joined by the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido - who's been recognised by many countries as the country's interim president - and the US vice-president, Mike Pence. 

(IMAGE: Members of the Venezuelan National Guard clash with protesters of the Venezuelan opposition on the border with Colombia CREDIT: FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images)

BBC World Service

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

Accessibility links

Programme Index

World Update

Venezuela Crisis: Defectors fear for families under Maduro government

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service