The White House has said "all options are on table" after Donald Trump's national security adviser was seen with a note reading "5,000 troops to Colombia".

John Bolton, who was attending a news conference announcing fresh sanctions on Venezuela, was holding his papers in such a way that the handwritten words were clearly visible.

When asked to explain the words in Mr Bolton's notepad, the White House said that "as the president has said, all options are on the table".

There has not been any announcement of any direct US military involvement in the crisis in Venezuela.

Image: Nicolas Maduro has called the new US sanctions 'criminal'

Colombia's foreign minister Carlos Holmes said in a brief address on Monday that he does not know the "importance and reason" for Mr Bolton's note.


He added that Colombia will continue acting "politically and diplomatically" so that order is restored in neighbouring Venezuela and new elections are held.

The South American country, which shares a 1,370-mile (2,200km) border with Venezuela, has joined Mr Trump in backing the crisis-hit nation's opposition leader Juan Guaido.

The 35-year-old has declared himself interim president as the opposition seeks to topple President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela's embattled leader has called the US sanctions against the company's state-owned oil company "criminal".

Mr Maduro accused the US of robbing Venezuelans of oil riches in televised remarks on state TV on Monday.

Image: Anti-government protests have been held across Venezuela

In a direct message to Mr Trump, spoken in broken English, he said: "Hands off Venezuela!"

Mr Maduro said he would be announcing a range of measures in response to the US sanctions within the coming hours provided no details.

Mr Bolton held up a map at a press briefing on Monday that showed the countries it believes are supporting Mr Maduro in red, and those it believes are opposing him in blue.

Guaido: We need the world's help to rebuild

The Mexican government says it disagrees with the US claim that Mexico is one of the countries that supports Mr Maduro's government.

Martha Barcena, Mexico ambassador to the US, said: "We are not against the US regarding the position on Venezuela.

"We are not siding with Maduro. We are not siding with Guaido. We think a third way of a peaceful solution can be found."