John Bolton said on Friday that Russia’s continued military presence in Venezuela could be considered a “direct threat” to international peace.

President Trump’s national security adviser said that any move by Russia to expand operations in the South American country would send a dangerous message.

“We strongly caution actors external to the Western Hemisphere against deploying military assets to Venezuela, or elsewhere in the Hemisphere, with the intent of establishing or expanding military operations,” Bolton said in a statement.

“We will consider such provocative actions as a direct threat to international peace and security in the region.”

Russia said on Thursday it had sent “specialists” to Venezuela under a military cooperation deal. The Kremlin, insisted, however, that they posed no threat to regional stability.

Trump has called for Moscow to remove all military personnel from the country.

The socialist country has descended into turmoil and the US refuses to recognize President Nicolas Maduro as the legitimate leader.