Congress won't back military intervention in Venezuela: US official
U.S. Congress will not support American military intervention in Venezuela despite comments hinting at such involvement by President Donald Trump, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said on Wednesday.
- World
- Compiled from wire services
- Published Date: 11:58 | 13 February 2019
- Modified Date: 11:58 | 13 February 2019
The U.S. Congress will not support U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said on Wednesday.
Slamming President Donald Trump's hints in favor of a military action in Venezuela, where volatility reigns, congressman Eliot Engel ruled out approval for a military option.
"I do worry about the president's saber rattling, his hints that U.S. military intervention remains an option. I want to make clear to our witnesses and to anyone else watching: U.S. military intervention is not an option," Engel said at a hearing in Congress.
Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition.
Tensions rose when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 -- a move supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.
Russia, Turkey, China, Iran, Bolivia and Mexico have put their weight behind Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.