After a failed US-backed coup on Wednesday, the Trump Administration is visibly losing patience on its determination to impose regime change in Venezuela. While still giving lip-service to the idea that the US can force a “peaceful” exchange of power through sheer force of will, they are also talking up direct military intervention.



The always hawkish John Bolton was of course the most open about this possible US attack, saying that he’s been told by Admiral Faller that US troops are “on the balls of our feet ready to go” into Venezuela.



Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and others only suggested that invading Venezuela was “possible,” but talking up the intervention in such a way as to suggest that a lot more possible after that failed coup.



Adding to speculation that such a war could be imminent, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has cancelled his planned trip to Europe at the last minute, with officials saying he needs to stay to coordinate policy on Venezuela.



Gen. Joe Dunford, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says that the focus right now is on collecting intelligence on Venezuela. How successful they are being is unclear, as officials seemed to assume that coup was going to be successful.



Author: Jason Ditz Jason Ditz is news editor of Antiwar.com. View all posts by Jason Ditz