Washington (CNN) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated Wednesday that US military action in Venezuela is an option in the wake of this week's violent protests, despite military officials and experts casting doubt on the prudence of such a move.

"The President has been crystal clear and incredibly consistent. Military action is possible. If that's what's required, that's what the United States will do," Pompeo said on Fox Business Network. "We're trying to do everything we can to avoid violence. We've asked all the parties involved not to engage in the kind of activity. We'd prefer a peaceful transition of government there, where Maduro leaves and a new election is held. But the President has made clear, in the event that there comes a moment -- and we'll all have to make decisions about when that moment is -- and the President will have to ultimately make that decision. He is prepared to do that if that's what's required."

On Wednesday, Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said that the US military was "prepared to support the President should he require more from" them. However, the top US military commander for US forces in Central and South America suggested that he did not see a role for the armed forces in the conflict over Venezuela's disputed leadership.

"Our leadership has been clear this has to be should be primarily a democratic transition," Adm. Craig Faller said Wednesday. "We are in total support of diplomacy and we stand ready to support that effort."

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said the US is taking "a whole of government" approach to the situation.

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