Free Republic

The Trump administration on Monday announced devastating sanctions against Venezuela in an effort to pressure President Nicolás Maduro to step aside — as the country’s opposition leader vowed to take control of the oil rich country. National-security adviser John Bolton said penalties would be imposed on Venezuela’s state-owned oil company as President Trump recognized self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaidó as the country’s legitimate leader. While announcing the hefty sanctions, Bolton did not rule out the use of military force as a means to oust Maduro. “The president has made it clear that all options are on the table,” Bolton told...