Tensions High Between U.S. and Venezuela

Trump says 'all options on table' as Venezuela crisis deepens

Venezuela’s opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, has secured significant international support after declaring himself interim president in a bid to force out Nicolás Maduro as two nights of unrest gripped the country, leading to the deaths of 14 people.

Guaidó was quickly recognised by the US, Canada, Brazil, Colombia and other US allies in the Americas, while the European Union said the voice of the people “cannot be ignored”.

Donald Trump warned that “all options are on the table” if Maduro – who has overseen the country’s slide into authoritarianism and economic collapse – responded with force against the opposition. Mike Pence later made clear the US would use “the full weight of our diplomatic and economic pressure”. US officials said the US would look at ways to transfer Venezuelan assets and oil revenues to Guaidó and the opposition-run national assembly.