CARACAS 25 Feb (ANA) - Venezuelan soldiers who defected into Colombia on Saturday say they fear for the safety of their families under President Nicolás Maduro's government.

 

Speaking exclusively to the BBC's Orla Guerin, one defector aged 23 says he is worried forces loyal to the president may "lash out against my family".

 

"But I think it was the best decision I could have made," he adds.

 

More than 100 soldiers are said to have defected, most during deadly clashes over aid deliveries on Saturday.

 

Tensions were high after President Maduro sent troops to block roads and bridges at the borders of neighbouring Brazil and Colombia, where food and medicine deliveries, organised by the US, were set to enter the country.

 

At various crossing points, Venezuelan security forces fired tear gas at volunteers and protesters burning outposts and throwing stones at soldiers and riot police.(ANA)

FA/ANA/25 February 2019--------