Trump: aid refusal is ‘mistake’
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has labelled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s refusal to accept humanitarian aid a ‘‘terrible mistake’’ and an example of what can happen under the wrong government.
Trump seemed also to hint at future action by the US and its allies against Maduro, who has blocked shipments of food and other assistance.
He also did not rule out sending troops to neighbouring Colombia.
‘‘You’ll see,’’ he said when asked about a deployment.
Political and economic turmoil has led to vast shortages of basic goods, forcing many Venezuelans to flee to Colombia or participate in massive street protests to pressure Maduro to resign.
The US and other nations favour that outcome, and have recognised 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.AndCandDandEandF...A lot of things are happening in Venezuela that people don’t know about.’’
During an Oval Office appearance with Colombian President Ivan Duque, Trump said many countries wanted to help Venezuela.
Trump said Maduro made the wrong call in denying his people the assistance, noting Maduro had blocked the bridge closest to where the aid was being warehoused on the Colombian border, but not other crossings.
‘‘It’s showing bad things and, really, we’re trying to get food to people that are starving. You have people starving in Venezuela, and it just shows what can happen with the wrong government,’’ Trump said.
The Democratic chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, meanwhile, said Congress would not support a military intervention in Venezuela.
‘‘I do worry about the president’s sabrerattling, his hints that US military intervention remains an option. I want to make clear to our witnesses and to anyone else watching: US military intervention is not an option,’’ US Representative Eliot Engel said.
Guaido said this week he would try to run caravans of the badly needed food and medicine into Venezuela, starting on February 23. He is reportedly preparing aid deliveries through Brazil and the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao. — AP