Trump threatens Venezuela with ‘military option’

Pentagon says it has not been given any orders on Venezuela from the White House

US president Donald Trump speaks outside his golf club in Bedminster,  New Jersey, on Friday: “The people are suffering and they are dying. We have many options for Venezuela including a possible military option if necessary,” he said. Photograph: Al Drago/The New York Times
US president Donald Trump speaks outside his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Friday: “The people are suffering and they are dying. We have many options for Venezuela including a possible military option if necessary,” he said. Photograph: Al Drago/The New York Times

US president Donald Trump on Friday threatened military intervention in Venezuela, a surprise escalation in Washington's response to the South American country's political crisis. Venezuela has appeared to slide toward a more volatile stage of unrest in recent days, with anti-government forces looting weapons from the military after the installation of an all-powerful new legislative body.

“The people are suffering and they are dying. We have many options for Venezuela including a possible military option if necessary,” Mr Trump told reporters.

The Pentagon said it had not received any orders on Venezuela from the White House.

More than 120 people have been killed and thousands arrested in four months of unrest.

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– (Reuters)