Trump Says Military Option Regarding Venezuela Is Not Off the Table

On August 20, the President of the United States stated that he has not ruled out the use of military options regarding Venezuela. Venezuela has been the scene of severe tensions and clashes between protesters against the government of Nicolas Maduro and police and security forces in recent months. These protests intensified with Maduro's proposal for a vote on a 'Constituent Assembly' and a review of the constitution. While protesters accused the government of attempting to change the constitution, ending the parliament - which has a majority of opposition members - and steering the country towards dictatorship, Maduro claimed that the purpose of establishing the 'Constituent Assembly' is to create peace and stability in the country. Over 120 people have lost their lives in the violence in Venezuela in recent months. Donald Trump, speaking to reporters in New Jersey on Friday, said, 'We have military forces all over the world, in places that are very far away. Venezuela is not very far away, and its people are suffering and dying.' He then added, 'We have various options regarding Venezuela, including, if necessary, a military option.' According to the President of the United States, the situation in Venezuela is very chaotic, and this is sad. Trump made these remarks after meeting with his foreign policy team, including Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State, Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and H.R. McMaster, National Security Advisor. Shortly after this, the Venezuelan Minister of Defense and Minister of Information reacted to Trump's statements and criticized them. The Venezuelan Minister of Information stated on the country's state television that the remarks of the U.S. President are 'an unprecedented threat to national sovereignty.' The U.S. government had previously accused Maduro and his government of being a 'dictatorship,' but until now had not mentioned the possibility of a military option regarding Caracas. The Pentagon stated that it has not received any orders related to Venezuela from the White House.