Pentagon developing military options to deter Russian, Chinese influence in Venezuela
Source: CNN
By Barbara Starr, Ryan Browne and Zachary Cohen, CNN 9 hrs ago
The Pentagon is developing new military options for Venezuela aimed at deterring Russian, Cuban and Chinese influence inside the regime of President Nicolas Maduro, but stopping short of any kinetic military actions, according to a defense official familiar with the effort.
The deterrence options are being ordered following a White House meeting last week where national security adviser John Bolton told acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan to develop ideas on the Venezuela crisis.
The official emphasized strongly that the initial work is being done by the Pentagon's Joint Staff, which conducts planning for future military operations along with the Southern Command, which oversees any US military involvement in the southern hemisphere.
And even though Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently said that "all options" remain on the table for dealing with Venezuela, several Pentagon officials continue to say there is no appetite at the Department of Defense for using US military force against the Venezuelan regime to try to force it from power.
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/pentagon-developing-military-options-to-deter-russian-chinese-influence-in-venezuela/ar-BBVXTfa?li=BBnb7Kz
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