VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro put the country’s armed forces on high alert and called on the people to be ready to defend their homeland from an attack from Colombia.

The Bolivarian leader has consistently warned that Colombian President Ivan Duque is trying to create conditions to justify an attack on Venezuela.

Earlier this year troops built up on the border in support of usurper Juan Guaido, who declared himself Venezuela’s interim president in January, as he claimed he was trying to break a non-existent aid blockade.

Last year’s assassination attempt in which Mr Maduro was targeted by a drone was found to have emanated from Colombia.

Mr Duque is facing challenges on the domestic front with mass protests against his rule. 

More than 700 people were injured last week and a young man was killed during demonstrations against neoliberalism and in defence of peace.

He has sought to blame Venezuela for the unrest and makes false accusations that the Bolivarian country has sent armed groups into Colombia to sow discontent.

Mr Maduro warned on Friday of a potential attack from Colombia, which he fears will be used as a base for US military intervention.

Imperialist forces are likely to have been bolstered by the recent fascist coup in Bolivia, which ousted leftist President Evo Morales last month.

“All of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) should be on alert. I have first-hand information of a set of provocations for armed conflict at the Colombian-Venezuelan border, so as to divert attention from the popular Colombian rebellion against Ivan Duque,” he said.

“I speak out against it and I’m telling the FANB to be ready to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty and right to peace … Be ready.”