US President Donald Trump demanded Wednesday that Russia remove troops from Venezuela and said again that he was not ruling out military action to topple far-left President Nicolas Maduro.
Russia’s deployment of troops and equipment to bolster Maduro has ratcheted up already high international tension in Venezuela where the Trump administration is pushing hard for regime change amid mounting chaos in the once rich country.
“Russia has to get out,” Trump said at the White House alongside Fabiana Rosales, wife of opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognized by the United States and more than 50 other countries as Venezuela’s interim president in place of Maduro.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed Trump’s demand, asking in return why US troops were still in parts of Syria, where the Assad regime relies heavily on Russia support.
“He said the United States would withdraw from Syria a month ago,” she was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency. “Before deciding the fate of another country I advise fulfilling promises made to the international community.”
Russia, one of the major countries that still recognizes Maduro as leader, sent two planes carrying 100 troops and tons of military equipment to Venezuela on Saturday.
Maduro is presiding over economic chaos, with the oil-rich country unable to provide basic medical and even food supplies to much of the population.
The high-profile reception given to Rosales was the Trump administration’s latest bid to boost Guaido, who is under severe pressure from Maduro. On Thursday, she will meet with US First Lady Melania Trump in Florida.
