U.S. armed intervention in Venezuela is “not an option,” the new House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman said Friday.

“I urge the administration to take an approach that supports the Venezuelan people, protects American lives, helps ease the humanitarian crisis, respects human rights, and avoids violence,” Rep. Eliot Engel, New York Democrat, said in a statement Friday.

The warning comes on the heels of President Trump saying a military option remains “on the table” in Venezuela to restore democracy following a power struggle between socialist President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared he is the rightful “interim president” after a deeply flawed presidential race last year.

The U.S and powers around the region this week recognized Mr. Guaido’s claim to power, a decision that resulted in Mr. Maduro cutting ties with the U.S. and an order for all American diplomats in Venezuela to return home.

The Venezuelan military has stood with Mr. Maduro to date, raising the odds of more violent clashes in a standoff that killed at least a dozen protesters this week.

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