Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Wednesday he will discuss increased military cooperation with Russia in the wake of President Donald Trump’s remarks that he would not rule out a “military option” in response to a power grab by Maduro, according to the Miami Herald.
Trump made the comments in August as Venezuela was in the midst of chaos. The South American country had been troubled for weeks by charges of election fraud and protests, and the U.S. soon after imposed sanctions meant to punish Maduro’s government for knocking out democratic institutions.
“We have many options for Venezuela, including a possible military option if necessary,” Trump said.
“We are all over the world and we have troops all over the world in places that are very, very far away,” the president added. “Venezuela is not very far away and people are suffering and dying.”
Russia has stepped in to help stem the economic crisis – Venezuela’s debt stands at $3.5 billion and the country is struggling to meet those payments. Maduro on Wednesday thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his support in difficult times.
He says he will now discuss the possibility of military support with the Russian government during his visit in Moscow this week.
“I am sure, even if we do not ask, we will be given even more support to boost Venezuela’s defense capacity and sovereignty," said Maduro, speaking at an energy forum in Moscow.
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