U.S. military ready to 'protect' diplomats in Venezuela - admiral

In a press conference with national and global media, the president urged the European authorities not to impose a single thought of interference as the USA head of state, Donald Trump, tries to do under his premise of seizing world wealth.

Abrams said he believes there are countries who would be willing to accept Maduro and members of his regime should they seek it.

VIVOplay TV channel reported on Thursday that first containers with humanitarian aid have arrived to the Colombian city of Cucuta at the Venezuelan border.

A number of Venezuelan leaders have appealed to the military to allow the relief supplies into the country, but those calls have been rejected by the country's embattled president, who has the support of the army.

"Venezuela will not allow the show of... humanitarian aid because we do not beg from anyone", he told reporters.

The arrival of the aid convoy, which includes supplies provided by the United States, has increased the pressure on Maduro after Washington as well as nations from across Latin America and Europe recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the rightful interim ruler of Venezuela.

Officials at a Cucuta warehouse organised staple foods and sanitary products into sacks during an event attended by U.S. Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker and called on the armed forces to help it across.

USAID relief items for Venezuela arrive in Colombia on Wednesday.

Guadio is backed as the de facto leader by more than 40 nations, including the U.S. and major European powers, who want Maduro to step down.

On January 23, Guaido, the president of the National Assembly, used an obscure part of the Venezuelan constitution to declare himself interim president.

Maduro accuses Guaido and his supporters, including the USA, of staging a coup.

Actually getting that government in power, however, has one big stumbling block, and that is the Venezuelan military, which remains overwhelmingly loyal to the actual government and the sitting president.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro slammed this as an attempted coup and severed diplomatic ties with the US.

The two men described a plot headed by opposition figure Julio Borges, a former president of Venezuela's National Assembly living in Bogota.

"We'll do everything we have to in a sovereign and autonomous manner to achieve an end to the usurpation, a transitional government and free elections", he said.

Perez has been separated from most of her family, some back in Venezuela while others have gone to Peru and other countries to search of job opportunities.

Maduro has the backing of China, Russia, Turkey and leftist regional allies Cuba and Bolivia.

Mexico participated at the group's inaugural meeting on Thursday in Montevideo, but did not sign a statement calling for new presidential elections in Venezuela.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also said Germany had earmarked €5 million ($5.72 million) worth of assistance for Venezuela.