Venezuela crisis: President Maduro's 'days numbered' - Mike Pompeo

  • 2019-02-24 22:51:27
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's "days are numbered" after deadly clashes over humanitarian aid. "Picking exact days is difficult. I'm confident that the Venezuelan people will ensure that Maduro's days are numbered," Mr Pompeo Said Two people died in Saturday's clashes between civilians and troops loyal to Mr Maduro, who blocked aid deliveries. Self-declared interim President Juan Guaidó said Mr Maduro must resign. Mr Guaidó has called on other nations to consider "all measures" to oust Mr Maduro after opposition-led efforts to bring in aid descended into clashes. He also said he would attend a meeting of mostly Latin American countries in Colombia on Monday, despite being under a travel ban imposed by Mr Maduro. US Vice-President Mike Pence will represent Washington at the talks in Bogota. A senior White House official said on Sunday that Mr Pence was planning to announce "concrete steps" and "actions" in addressing the crisis at the talks on Monday, Reuters news agency reported. Meanwhile, Colombia and Brazil said they would intensify pressure on Mr Maduro to relinquish power. US President Donald Trump has not ruled out an armed response to the Venezuela crisis. Mr Guaidó last month declared himself interim president and has since been recognised by more than 50 countries. He argues that alleged irregularities with the nation's 2018 election render Mr Maduro's leadership illegitimate. Mr Maduro, who is backed by key economic allies including Russia, Cuba and China, says he is the legitimate president. He also warns that deliveries of foreign aid would open the way for US military intervention. AFP.

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