Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


US: Nicolas Maduro Only 'Ruling for the Moment'

by Ken Bredemeier

   WASHINGTON --

   U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that Venezuelan
   President Nicolas Maduro is only "ruling for the moment" despite last
   week's failed effort by opposition leader Juan Guaido to overthrow his
   regime.

   The top U.S. diplomat told Fox News Sunday, "Maduro can't feel good
   about the security of his position." He said Maduro's days as the
   Venezuelan leader are numbered, but offered no timetable.

   Guaido, the self-declared interim president of Venezuela, led thousands
   of his countrymen into the streets of the capital, Caracas, for two
   days last week in protest of Maduro's socialist government, but top
   military commanders did not heed Guaido's call to join him in seeking
   Maduro's ouster. Five demonstrators were killed in clashes with police.

   Top U.S. officials throughout the week praised the efforts to overthrow
   Maduro government as its fall appeared possible. But Pompeo rejected
   the suggestion that the aborted takeover was a U.S. intelligence
   failure.

   "No, not at all," Pompeo said.

   He said the United States will continue to offer support for "restoring
   democracy for the Venezuelan people."

   Pompeo called on Russia, Cuba and Iran to end their support for the
   Maduro regime. "We want everyone out," he said.

   As he has in recent days, Pompeo declined to rule out a U.S. military
   intervention in Venezuela. But neither Pompeo nor President Donald
   Trump has said under what circumstances the U.S. might send troops to
   the South American country.

   "I'm very confident that any action we took in Venezuela would be
   lawful," Pompeo said, dismissing concerns that Congress would need to
   approve an incursion.
   Guaido is considered Venezuela's legitimate leader by the U.S. and 50
   other countries.