President Trump said Wednesday that “Russia needs to get out” of Venezuela after reports the Kremlin is sending troops to support socialist President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump spoke in the Oval Office while hosting Fabiana Rosales, the wife of Venezuela’s self-declared interim president Juan Guaido, whose chief of staff was arrested last week.
“We are with you 100 percent,” Trump said, according to a pool report. “Russia needs to get out.”
Two Russian air force planes landed Saturday near Venezuela’s capital Caracas. The planes reportedly carried about 100 Russian special forces and cybersecurity experts.
[Opinion: Russia is making the US look weak in Venezuela]
Guaido declared himself interim president in January, but has been unable to shake Maduro’s grip on the institutions of government, though many regional countries recognized his declaration.
Trump recognized Guaido — leader of the opposition-held National Assembly — as the country’s rightful leader, and administration officials have said an invasion is possible to depose Maduro if there are attacks on Guaido or his shadow government.
