US officials had met Venezuela officers to discuss coup

WASHINGTON: Officials from President Donald Trump’s administration met secretly with Venezuelan military officers to discuss plans to oust President Nicolas Maduro but eventually decided not to help, reports The New York Times.

Trump has been harshly critical of Maduro’s leftist regime, as Venezuela has spiralled downward into a grave economic and humanitarian crisis that has sparked violent protests and prompted a wave of emigration.

A National Security Council spokesman said that: “US policy preference for a peaceful, orderly return to democracy in Venezuela remains unchanged.”

“The US government hears daily the concerns of Venezuelans from all walks of life ... They share one goal: the rebuilding of democracy in their homeland,” added spokesman Garrett Marquis.

“A lasting solution to Venezuela’s worsening crisis can only arise following restoration of governance by democratic practices, the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms.”

The Times, citing unnamed American officials and a former Venezuelan military commander who took part in the secret talks, said the coup plans stalled.

On Twitter, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza denounced “US government intervention plans and support for military plotting against Venezuela. Right there in US media, new and disgusting evidence is there to see,” he said.

After explosives-laden drones allegedly blew up near Maduro at an Aug 4 event in Caracas – he blamed the US, Colombia and his domestic enemies – the State Department condemned the “political violence” but also denounced what it said were the arbitrary detentions and forced confessions of suspects.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton insisted there was “no US government involvement” in the incident.—