Venezuelan soldiers have left their posts along the border - Colombian authorities

Colombia’s migration agency says soldiers from Venezuela's National Guard have left their posts along the border between the two countries.

The British Broadcasting Corporation has published pictures of soldiers who it claimed were being detained by authorities in Colombia.

The report comes amid rising tensions at the border where hundreds of thousands of humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, are stockpiled.

Pictures also show protesters throwing rocks at soldiers and riot police in border areas.

Self-declared acting president of Venezuela Juan Guaido claimed, too, that "various members" of the National Guard have left their posts at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge to oversee delivery of humanitarian aid.

He urged the military to allow trucks carry relief supplies to enter, calling on them to "put themselves on the side of the people".

Venezuela closed its border with Colombia yesterday after Guaido crossed it in defiance of a travel ban.

Guaido has vowed that hundreds of thousands of volunteers will help bring in the relief supplies today.

Embattled President Nicolas Maduro has refused to allow the aid to cross the border.

Two people were killed after Venezuelan security forces reportedly fire on persons who were trying to prevent them from blocking the border with Brazil where a convoy was waiting with relief supplies.

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, in a message posted on Twitter, said the "total, temporary closure [of the border with Columbia] was due to serious threats against the country's sovereignty and security.”

Guaido revealed that he was able to cross over yesterday with the help of the Venezuelan armed forces.

The claim is significant because President Nicolas Maduro has been able to retain power largely because of his military support.

Guaido later turned up at concert, Venezuela Aid Live, which was organised by British businessman Richard Branson.

The 35-year-old lawmaker was greeted there by the presidents of Colombia, Chile and Paraguay, three of the nations that have recognised him as interim president.

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