US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has stated that military action in Venezuela is possible “if that’s what’s required”, but he would prefer a peaceful transition, Fox business has reported.
“Military action is possible. If that’s what’s required, that’s what the United States will do”, he stressed.
The statement comes after Pompeo earlier told CNN that Maduro was ready to leave his country for Havana earlier in the day in light of the attempted coup, but was convinced by Moscow to stay in Venezuela.
Later Wednesday, Trump National Security Advisor John Bolton told CNN that Pompeo planned to discuss the situation in Venezuela with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov later in the day. “Secretary Pompeo will be addressing his counterpart,” Bolton said. “We have a lot of conversations with the Russians,” he added.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro himself slammed Pompeo’s claim, branding it a lie and manipulation. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, for his part, said that “fake news was a very sad way to acknowledge that a coup supported by the United States failed”.
Guaido and his supporters made another attempt to depose Maduro on 30 April, gathering in Caracas on a highway in front of the La Carlota military base. Guaido called on the people of Venezuela and the army to take to the streets to complete the operation to overthrow Venezuela’s legitimate president.