Maduro gestures during a meeting with soldiers at a military base in Caracas on Jan 30, 2019.PHOTO: REUTERS
CNN: Pentagon developing military options to deter Russian, Chinese influence in Venezuela
The Pentagon is developing new military options for Venezuela aimed at deterring Russian, Cuban and Chinese influence inside the regime of President Nicolas Maduro, but stopping short of any kinetic military actions, according to a defense official familiar with the effort.
The deterrence options are being ordered following a White House meeting last week where national security adviser John Bolton told acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan to develop ideas on the Venezuela crisis.
The official emphasized strongly that the initial work is being done by the Pentagon's Joint Staff, which conducts planning for future military operations along with the Southern Command, which oversees any US military involvement in the southern hemisphere.
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WNU Editor: I see no viable U.S. military options to deter Russian and Chinese influence in Venezuela that does not involve a "kinetic" option.
