Trump not ruling out military action in Venezuela

Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela

In an escalation of rhetoric, President Donald Trump said Friday that he hasn’t ruled out military action against Venezuela.

Speaking to reporters at his Bedminster, N.J., golf club, Trump bemoaned the country’s growing humanitarian crisis and declared that all options remain on the table – including a potential military intervention.

“We have many options for Venezuela and, by the way, I’m not going to rule out a military option,” Trump volunteered, adding, “A military operation and military option is certainly something that we could pursue.”

On Thursday, Trump said he discussed Venezuela along with North Korea and Afghanistan in a security briefing with top national security aides and Vice President Mike Pence. Pence is traveling to Colombia on Sunday to begin a regional trip that is expected to include discussions on how to deal with President Nicolas Maduro.

Peru expelled Venezuela’s ambassador Friday as regional pressure built on Maduro’s government for allegedly trampling his country’s constitutional order.

Peru gave Ambassador Diego Molero, a former Venezuelan defense minister, five days to leave the country. As part of what it said was a firm commitment “to help restore Venezuela’s democracy,” Peru’s administration also refused to accept a diplomatic protest made by Maduro over Peru’s hosting this week of foreign ministers from 17 regional nations who refused to recognize the new, loyalist-packed special assembly that is to rewrite the constitution.