Washington Sep 22 (IANS) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that the Trump administration will take "a serious of actions" against the Venezuelan government in the coming days.
Speaking at an interview on Friday with Fox News Pompeo said that "I think you ll see in the coming days a series of actions that continue to increase the pressure level against the Venezuelan leadership folks" Xinhua reported. Claiming that "we re determined to ensure that the Venezuelan people get their say " Pompeo declined to detail whether Washington will impose more sanctions on Caracas. The remarks came ahead of the annual UN General Assembly slated in New York next week. Several US media outlets reported earlier this month that the Trump administration has talked secretly with rebellious Venezuelan military officers several times to discuss their plans to stage a coup in the South American country. For his part US President Donald Trump said in August of last year that he would not rule out a "military option" in Venezuela "if necessary " despite his aides opposition. The US has also announced several rounds of sanctions against Venezuelan government officials ever since. In response Venezuela has slammed the "warmongering" declarations of Trump as "threats to peace" and a "violation" of UN and international laws. The Nicolas Maduro government has also instructed the military to prepare to "shoulder arms" in case of a US invasion.
--IANS pgh/