Washington: Military option is on Venezuela

US Vice President Mike Pence has said that his country does not rule out military intervention to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after a meeting in Colombia with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guido, who declared himself interim president.
"We hope for a peaceful transition to democracy, but (President Donald) Trump was clear: all options are on the table," Bens said.

The US vice president arrived in Bogota on Monday after US-backed efforts to bring humanitarian aid to Venezuela across the border turned violent.

The Associated Press reported that Bens's visit includes meetings with Colombian President Ivan Doké, members of Lima and Guido to discuss "the next steps" to overthrow Maduro.

Lima is a multilateral group founded in Lima, capital of Peru. The meeting aims to find a way out of the crisis in Venezuela.

Bens's arrival in Bogota comes after US-backed efforts to bring humanitarian aid to Venezuela across the border have turned violent.

Troops loyal to Maduro fired tear gas and bullets at militants accompanying the supplies on Sunday, killing three and injuring at least 300.

A US official said on Sunday that Pence would announce "concrete steps and clear moves" at the meeting that will address the crisis.

In January, Venezuela entered a severe political crisis after Guido declared himself interim president after the opposition considered Maduro's victory in last December's elections "illegal."


The United States was quick to support Guido, and US President Donald Trump said he recognized him as a legitimate president of Venezuela, calling on the world to follow suit. After America, more than 50 countries recognized Guadiana as a legitimate president.