Clashes renewed at Venezuela border as aid stalled on Brazilian side

Renewed clashes have broken out between protesters and Venezuelan national guard members at the border with Brazil.

Dozens of Venezuelans who had come to the Brazilian border city of Pacaraima began throwing rocks across the closed border at Venezuelan troops, who responded with tear gas and buckshot.

Globo television broadcast images of a Brazilian soldier advancing to the border line on Sunday to appeal for calm on the part of the Venezuelan soldiers and to urge protesters and journalists to move back.

Local officials say dozens of people were injured in more violent clashes on Saturday as Venezuelan forces blocked aid shipments from crossing the border.

Brazilian Navy Col. George Feres Kanaan is co-ordinating humanitarian logistics in Roraima state, and he says two Venezuelan National Guard sergeants sought refuge in Brazil on Saturday, abandoning President Nicolas Maduro's forces.

UN condemns 'excessive force'

The UN's high commissioner for human rights on Sunday condemned violence at points on the Venezuelan border where opposition figures have been trying to bring in aid shipments.

Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet focused her criticism on excessive use of force by the Venezuelan security forces, as well the involvement of pro-government groups. She said that has led to at least four confirmed deaths and more than 300 injuries over the previous two days.

She said, "The Venezuelan government must stop its forces from using excessive force against unarmed protesters and ordinary citizens."

Bachelet urged Maduro's government "to rein in" pro-government groups reportedly using force against protesters.

She said: "The use of proxy forces has a long and sinister history in the region," and added, "it is very alarming to see them operating openly in this way in Venezuela."