Thirudan
Novice Sprinter
The superpower chief says "many really horrible things" are happening in the South American nation, with accusations of torture.
Mr Trump revealed he turned down a request for a meeting by Venezuela's embattled leader
US President Donald Trump has said sending troops to crisis-hit Venezuela is "an option".
Mr Trump also revealed he had turned down a request for a meeting by Venezuela's embattled hardline socialist leader Nicolas Maduro, who is widely seen as a dictator.
In an interview with CBS, he also said he wanted to keep a military presence in Iraq so that he could keep an eye on Iran, which he described as "a real problem".
Venezuela is in the grip of humanitarian and political turmoil
Pressed over sending troops to the oil-rich South American nation, which is in the grip of humanitarian and political turmoil, Mr Trump said: "Certainly it's something that's on the - it's an option."
The US and EU have already recognised the leadership of Juan Guaido, the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, who is trying to oust Mr Maduro.
On whether he would negotiate with Mr Maduro, whose regime has faced criticism over torture and "disappearances" of political opponents, Mr Trump said: "Well he requested a meeting and I've turned it down because we're very far along in the process."
Venezuela's hardline socialist leader Nicolas Maduro is widely seen as a dictator
He added: "I would say this. I decided at the time, 'no' because so many really horrible things have been happening in Venezuela when you look at that country.
"That was the wealthiest country of all in that part of the world which is a very important part of the world.
"And now you look at the poverty and you look at the anguish and you look at the crime and you look at all of the things happening.
"So, I think the process is playing out - very very big tremendous protests."
The US and EU both recognise the leadership of Juan Guaido, who is trying to oust Mr Maduro
On keeping US forces in Iraq, Mr Trump pointed out the US had spent a fortune on a military base in the country.
He told CBS' Face the Nation programme. "We might as well keep it. One of the reasons I want to keep it is because I want to be looking a little bit at Iran because Iran is a real problem."
Asked if that meant he wanted to be able to strike Iran, Mr Trump said, "No, because I want to be able to watch Iran."
"All I want to do is be able to watch. We have an unbelievable and expensive military base built in Iraq. It's
perfectly situated for looking at all over different parts of the troubled Middle East rather than pulling up."
He also defended his decision to withdraw troops from Syria but refused to give a timetable for the pullout, which was
criticised by members of his own Republican Party and caused concern among some regional allies.
He said some of the forces leaving Syria will go to the base in Iraq and "ultimately some will be coming home."
Mr Trump revealed he turned down a request for a meeting by Venezuela's embattled leader
US President Donald Trump has said sending troops to crisis-hit Venezuela is "an option".
Mr Trump also revealed he had turned down a request for a meeting by Venezuela's embattled hardline socialist leader Nicolas Maduro, who is widely seen as a dictator.
In an interview with CBS, he also said he wanted to keep a military presence in Iraq so that he could keep an eye on Iran, which he described as "a real problem".
Venezuela is in the grip of humanitarian and political turmoil
Pressed over sending troops to the oil-rich South American nation, which is in the grip of humanitarian and political turmoil, Mr Trump said: "Certainly it's something that's on the - it's an option."
The US and EU have already recognised the leadership of Juan Guaido, the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, who is trying to oust Mr Maduro.
On whether he would negotiate with Mr Maduro, whose regime has faced criticism over torture and "disappearances" of political opponents, Mr Trump said: "Well he requested a meeting and I've turned it down because we're very far along in the process."
Venezuela's hardline socialist leader Nicolas Maduro is widely seen as a dictator
He added: "I would say this. I decided at the time, 'no' because so many really horrible things have been happening in Venezuela when you look at that country.
"That was the wealthiest country of all in that part of the world which is a very important part of the world.
"And now you look at the poverty and you look at the anguish and you look at the crime and you look at all of the things happening.
"So, I think the process is playing out - very very big tremendous protests."
The US and EU both recognise the leadership of Juan Guaido, who is trying to oust Mr Maduro
On keeping US forces in Iraq, Mr Trump pointed out the US had spent a fortune on a military base in the country.
He told CBS' Face the Nation programme. "We might as well keep it. One of the reasons I want to keep it is because I want to be looking a little bit at Iran because Iran is a real problem."
Asked if that meant he wanted to be able to strike Iran, Mr Trump said, "No, because I want to be able to watch Iran."
"All I want to do is be able to watch. We have an unbelievable and expensive military base built in Iraq. It's
perfectly situated for looking at all over different parts of the troubled Middle East rather than pulling up."
He also defended his decision to withdraw troops from Syria but refused to give a timetable for the pullout, which was
criticised by members of his own Republican Party and caused concern among some regional allies.
He said some of the forces leaving Syria will go to the base in Iraq and "ultimately some will be coming home."