Trump pans Venezuelan leader for blocking aid

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday called Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s refusal to accept humanitarian aid a “terrible mistake” and said the decision is an example of what can happen when the wrong government holds power.

During an Oval Office appearance with Colombian President Ivan Duque, Trump seemed also to hint at future action by the U.S. and its allies against Maduro, who has blocked shipments of food and other assistance sent by the U.S. and other countries for the people of Venezuela. Political and economic turmoil has led to vast shortages of basic goods, forcing many Venezuelans to flee to neighboring Colombia or participate in massive street protests in an attempt to pressure Maduro to leave office.

The U.S. and other nations favor that outcome and have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s rightful leader.

Asked if he had a backup plan should Maduro retain power, Trump said: “I always have Plan B. And C and D and E and F . ... A lot of things are happening in Venezuela that people don’t know about.”

Maduro has blasted the humanitarian aid as part of a U.s.-led coup to topple him. Trump was not having it.

“You have people starving in Venezuela, and it just shows what can happen with the wrong government,” Trump said.

Guaido said this week that he will try to run caravans of the badly needed food and medicine into Venezuela, starting Feb. 23.

Duque publicly committed Wednesday to making sure the supplies get into Venezuela.

“Obstructing the access of humanitarian aid is a crime against humanity,” the Colombian leader said.

Asked Wednesday whether he would send in U.S. troops, Trump replied, “We’ll see.” But Elliot Abrams, the president’s special representative for Venezuela, told House lawmakers on Wednesday that military action “is not the path that the U.S. is pursuing.”

On another top concern, Trump chastised Duque over illegal drugs during the public portion of their meeting. Colombia is the world’s largest exporter of cocaine.

Duque defended his administration, asserting that more cocaine has been eradicated in the first four months of his term than during the eight months before he was sworn into office in August 2018.