Maduro warns White House of ‘stained blood’
If US invades Venezuela
CARACAS (AFP) — Venezuela’s embattled leader Nicolas Maduro has warned US President Donald Trump he will leave the White House “stained with blood” if he insists on pursuing what he called a “dirty” imperialist conspiracy to overthrow him.
“Stop. Stop, Trump! Hold it right there! You are making mistakes that will leave your hands covered in blood and you will leave the presidency stained with blood,” Maduro warned during a combative interview with Spanish journalist Jordi Evole.
“Why would you want a repeat of Vietnam?” Trump reiterated in comments broadcast Sunday that a US military intervention in Venezuela was “an option,” as international pressure ramps up on Maduro to step down.
Asked in an interview with CBS’s “Face the Nation” what could lead the United States to use military force in the crisis-wracked country, the president declined to give a specific answer.
“But certainly it’s something that’s on the — it’s an option,” he said.
The United States recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president on Jan. 23, and is leading an international campaign to drive Maduro from office.
Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse and the exodus of millions of Venezuelans, still maintains the powerful backing of Russia, China and Turkey, and the critical support of the military.
Guaido says the constitution entitles him to serve as interim head of state because Maduro’s re-election last May was invalid, his strongest op- ponents having been barred from running.
Four major European nations — Britain, France, Germany and Spain — have said they will likewise recognize Guaido’s opponent unless Maduro called new presidential elections by midnight on Sunday.
Trump has repeatedly warned “all options are on the table” in Venezuela, as his administration ramps up the pressure on Maduro through economic sanctions and appeals to the country’s armed forces to switch allegiances.
Under Maduro’s stewardship, oil-dependent Venezuela has lurched into an economic crisis that has left it suffering from hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine.
Maduro refuses to let aid into Venezuela, claiming it would precede a US-led military intervention. He denied that his country was suffering from a humanitarian emergency.
“Venezuela does not have a humanitarian crisis,” he said.
“Venezuela has a political crisis. Venezuela has an economic crisis.”
Asked if the challenge to his rule from Guaido, and his international allies, including the US, meant he was now “against the ropes,” Maduro admitted he was facing a “tough” fight against powerful opponents.
“They use sledgehammers instead of boxing gloves,” Maduro said of the US, which he claimed was seeking to topple him to seize Venezuela’s oil.
Maduro also sent a message to his opposition challenger Guaido.
“Think carefully about what you are doing,” he said, urging Guaido “to abandon his coup-mongering strategy.”