Venezuelan troops blocked Tienditas Bridge on the Colombia border with containers to stop a humanitarian aid shipment from reaching the capital. PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON: Washington is prepared to exempt Venezuelan military leaders from punitive sanctions if they recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as the South American nation's interim leader, President Donald Trump's national security advisor said on Wednesday.
"The US will consider sanctions off-ramps for any Venezuelan senior military officer that stands for democracy and recognises the constitutional government of President Juan Guaido," John Bolton said on Twitter.
"If not, the international financial circle will be closed off completely," he added, urging the officers to "make the right choice" and align with Guaido instead of embattled President Nicolas Maduro.
US pushes UN Security Council to back Venezuela's Guaido
The remarks align with those of Trump, who pledged in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night to ramp up pressure on Maduro's socialist government, telling Congress that "we stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom."
Trump swiftly recognised Guaido, the leader of Venezuela's National Assembly, after he proclaimed himself acting president of Venezuela last month, and has not ruled out a military intervention in the crisis-wracked country.
Guaido has since been recognised by more than 40 countries.
Trump has appeared to relish the fight against Maduro, a leftist firebrand fond of criticising US foreign policy, who presides over a crumbling economy in which food and basic supplies are scarce and millions have fled to neighboring countries.
Venezuela's military backs Maduro, as standoff hardens with US
US Senator Marco Rubio, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Cuba, whose communist government backs Maduro, also suggested Washington offer protections for those who turn against Maduro.
He tweeted that Venezuelan military leaders like Vladimir Padrino, the minister of defense, "can play an important role in restoring democracy" in Venezuela.
"And if they do, the US & international community should honor the amnesty offered by the legitimate government," Rubio said.
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