M Mushfiqul Fazal from White House
The US national security adviser John Bolton said that President Donald Trump is leaving open the possibility of a U.S. military intervention to protect opposition leader Juan Guaidó, members of the nation’s assembly and American diplomatic personnel.
“The president has made it clear that all options are on the table,” Bolton told reporters in the White House briefing room on Monday.
Venezuela’s government is embroiled in a power struggle after Guaidó declared President Nicolás Maduro illegitimate last week under a provision of the nation’s Constitution. The Trump administration has recognized Guaidó as the leader of the country.
Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who also appeared at the briefing, announced that the U.S. would impose new sanctions on PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, as a means of putting more pressure on Maduro’s regime.
“We also today call on the Venezuelan military and security forces to accept the peaceful, democratic, and constitutional transfer of power. And to a certain extent, this has already begun. We have seen Venezuelan official and military personnel heeding this call. The Venezuelan defense attaché here in Washington recognized President Guaidó a few days ago,” Bolton said.
“I call on all responsible nations to recognize Interim President Guaidó immediately. Maduro has made clear he will not recognize Guaidó or call for new elections. Now is the time to stand for democracy and prosperity in Venezuela,” he added.
US national security adviser said, “I reiterate that the United States will hold Venezuelan security forces responsible for the safety of all U.S. diplomatic personnel, the National Assembly, and President Guaidó. Any violence against these groups would signify a grave assault on the rule of law and will be met with a significant response.”
The measure blocks about $7 billion in assets and would result in more than $11 billion in lost assets over the next year, Bolton said.
The sanctions will be effective “immediately,” Mnuchin said, and any purchases of Venezuelan oil by US entities would flow into blocked accounts -- money the US officials said would be released only to the legitimate leaders of Venezuela.
He said, “The United States is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuela's tragic decline. We will continue to use all of our diplomatic and economic tools to support Interim President Guaidó, the National Assembly, and the Venezuelan people's…efforts to restore their democracy.”
Mnuchin said, “Refineries in the United States have already been taking steps to reduce their reliance on imports from Venezuela. Those imports have fallen substantially in recent months.”
Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, “Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States economy is growing at record levels, putting the President in a strong position to fix longstanding trade concerns with China.”
On Thursday, the President will meet with the Chinese Vice Premier who is here this week for continued talks.
Press Secretary Sarah Sanders entered the briefing room with two senior officials of the Trump administration after 41 days.
YS
