World

No Talks on Sending 5,000 Troops to Colombia Amid Venezuela Crisis - Shanahan

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Acting US Secretary of Defence Patrick M. Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday that he has not discussed with National Security Adviser John Bolton an apparent plan to deploy 5,000 troops to Colombia amid the current crisis in Venezuela.
Sputnik

“I haven’t discussed that with Secretary Bolton,” Shanahan said when asked about Bolton's notes.

Asked whether he would rule out sending 5,000 troops to Colombia, Shanahan said, “I am not commenting on it.”

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Guaido Vows to Win Over Military
During a press briefing on Monday about new sanctions against Venezuela, Bolton was photographed holding a yellow notepad that read: "5,000 troops to Colombia," prompting widespread speculation that senior US security officials are discussing plans to deploy military forces to the Latin American country, which borders Venezuela.

Prior to this, US President Donald Trump said that all options were on the table for Venezuela after his administration recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president.

Discuss