US military action in Venezuela possible
Pompeo, Trump say ‘all options are on the table’
Trump administration says all options on the table in effort to oust Maduro
WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that U.S. military action “is possible” in Venezuela to bolster opposition leader Juan Guaido’s bid to oust President Nicolas Maduro.
“The president has been crystal clear and incredibly consistent – military action is possible. If that’s what’s required, that’s what the United States will do,” Pompeo told Fox Business on Wednesday.
Pompeo and other officials, including President Donald Trump, have said “all options are on the table” but focused mostly on economic sanctions and other diplomatic tools.
“We are trying to do everything we can to avoid violence. … We’d prefer a peaceful transition of government there where Maduro leaves and a new election is held,” Pompeo told Fox.
Soon after Pompeo’s remarks, the Pentagon announced that acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan scrubbed a trip to Europe to stay in Washington to coordinate the U.S. response to developments in Venezuela and on the southern border.
Pompeo said Tuesday that Maduro was ready to flee Venezuela but changed his mind after Russia persuaded him to stay.
“He had an airplane on the tarmac, he was ready to leave this morning as we understand it, and the Russians indicated he should stay,” Pompeo told CNN on Tuesday evening. He said Maduro was headed to Cuba. Maduro and Russian officials denied Pompeo’s account.