Trump Warns Maduro to Stop Blocking Humanitarian Aid

Colombian president: Obstructing aid is a 'crime against humanity'

President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned of U.S. action against the Maduro regime if he continues to block shipments of humanitarian aid and other assistance from the U.S. and other countries aimed at helping the Venezuelan people.

"I think he's making a terrible mistake by not allowing the aid to be delivered," Trump said Wednesday during an appearance with Colombian president Ivan Duque in the Oval Office.

"We're trying to get food to people [who] are starving. You have people starving in Venezuela, and it just shows what can happen with the wrong government. You have the wrong government, bad things happen."

Maduro's economic mismanagement has led to shortages of food, medicine, and other basic necessities, forcing hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans to seek refuge in neighboring Colombia over the last year and a half while others have joined massive protests across the country aimed at pushing Maduro out of power.

The Trump administration and many European countries want Maduro out of office and have formally recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader.

While Trump did not say whether he would send U.S. troops into Venezuela, he said he is keeping all of his options on the table if Maduro does not leave office.

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