The relationship between the US and Venezuela is more than tense. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is now making serious allegations against Washington. The US wanted to murder him, he said at a press conference. The goal of the alleged murder plot is to build a dictatorship in Venezuela. He also feared an invasion.
According to Maduro, John Bolton, the security adviser to US President Donald Trump, is the leader of such a plan. "John Bolton was reappointed as head of a conspiracy to violently fill Venezuela and carry out a foreign military intervention," Maduro said. Thus, Bolton coordinates the training of mercenaries in military bases in Colombia and the United States.
Venezuela's president did not provide evidence of his allegations. The office of security adviser Bolton initially did not comment on the allegations. However, US President Trump said last year that with regard to Venezuela, a "military option" could not be ruled out.
In September, the New York Times reported that members of the US government had advised rebels from Venezuela on the possibility of a coup against Maduro. The talks would have already taken place in 2017. The White House had not commented on this.
Maduro has long been internationally criticized. The supply situation is precarious and threatens regional security. The US has imposed a number of sanctions on the country.