VENEZUELA has blasted a European Union promise of humanitarian aid as “a fraudulent spectacle,” warning of a change in tack after another coup attempt was foiled at the beginning of the month.

The country has accused the neoliberal economic bloc of subordination to “the regime change policy” of the United States.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Jorge Arreaza accused the EU and US of using the return of migrants to Venezuela and the issue of humanitarian aid to generate “pseudo news” to undermine the credibility of the Bolivarian government and “hide the failure of the mercenary incursion on May 3.”

It comes after the Spanish government and the EU organised a video conference under the pretext of raising financial resources for Venezuelans returning to their country, while insisting that the health system is collapsing.

The International Donors Conference, which was joined by around 40 countries and UN agencies, claimed to be acting in solidarity with Venezuelan refugees and migrants amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vice-president Josep Borrell said: “Venezuela’s neighbouring countries have shown great generosity in hosting many Venezuelans that have fled their country.

“Their effort and solidarity should serve as an example to all. We are committed to supporting them at this critical time.”

But Venezuela’s neighbours include Colombia, from where a botched US-backed coup attempt was launched on May 3.

The country has frequently been used a staging post for intervention. Venezuela is also host to millions of Colombians displaced by that country’s civil war.

In a statement the Foreign Ministry called the online meeting a “fraudulent spectacle that aims to deceive the international community to legitimise interventionist actions through precarious promises of humanitarian aid delivery.

“It is a makeup act hiding the EU’s subordination to the regime change policy through which Washington causes damage and suffering in Venezuela.”

Mr Arreaza said: "Venezuela deplores the fact that a group of governments calling themselves donors organise fraudulent shows aimed at supposedly serving our migrant population.”

The call for donations has been blasted as hypocrisy with Venezuela’s government forced to sue the Bank of England over its refusal to hand over gold it has stored in its reserves.

It has declined Venezuelan requests because the British government does not recognise Mr Maduro as the country’s legitimate leader.

Venezuela’s Central Bank (BCV) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) agreed to use part of the gold for food and medical aid in the fight against Covid-19.

“The Bank of England is not complying with the contract signed with the Central Bank and is risking its prestige.”

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez accused the BoE of “theft” of 31 tonnes of gold, accusing opposition politician Juan Guaido being behind the move.