USA warns Maduro could end up in Guantanamo if he does not agree to a transition

WASHINGTON – During an interview with the conservative radio program, the president's national security advisor

Donald Trump

John Bolton warned

Nicolás Maduro

who could end up at "Guantanamo" (Cuba), where the United States has a prison for terror suspects, if they do not accept a transition

Venezuela

.

"Yesterday, I tweeted to wish you a long and peaceful retreat on a beautiful beach away from Venezuela.The sooner you take advantage of this opportunity, the more likely you will be able to retreat quietly to a beautiful beach instead of find yourself in another Guantanamo, "said Bolton.

In addition, the official denied a possible imminent military intervention from the United States, Brazil, Colombia or a combination of these countries, but recalled that Trump was maintaining "all options on the table" before the crisis in Venezuela.

Bolton said Washington aimed to achieve "a peaceful transition of power" in Venezuela, for which he favors sanctions and "political pressure".

He is also badyzing the possibilities of delivering humanitarian aid, as announced last week by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who unveiled the possible $ 20 million donation to programs of the United Nations. Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

When there will be a day for new mobilizations against Maduro – which Bolton hopes will be "mbadive" -, the White House advisor argued that Trump is "very involved" in this affair, as in testifies his recent phone call to the rival leader

Juan Guaidó

.

Guaidó, president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, proclaimed January 23 "president in charge" of the South American country, a gesture that the United States endorsed from the beginning. Bolton, however, argued that any change should come from Venezuela and pleaded not to give Maduro reason to think that Guaidó is a "puppet" of Washington.

DPA and Reuters agencies