Fears US could invade Venezuela as ‘5,000 troops to Colombia’ note spotted on John Bolton’s pad and he warns ‘all options on table’

THE threat of a US invasion of Venezuela to oust socialist President Nicolas Maduro has been raised after Donald Trump's security adviser flashed a note about sending "5,000 troops to Colombia".

John Bolton said President Trump is leaving open the possibility of military intervention to protect the country's opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Bolton told reporters at the White House on Monday: "The president has made it clear that all options are on the table."

He also stood with a notepad which appeared to read: "Afghanistan -> Welcome the Talks. 5,000 troops to Colombia".

Maduro was re-elected last year in an election widely seen as fraudulent.

The once prosperous nation has been in an economic collapse, with several million citizens fleeing to neighbouring countries.

It led the US and other  nations last week to recognise Guaido - the opposition leader of the National Assembly - as the interim president of Venezuela instead of Maduro.

OIL SANCTIONS

Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who also appeared at the Monday briefing, announced the US was imposing sanctions on the state-owned oil company of Venezuela.

The potentially critical economic move is aimed at increasing pressure on President Maduro to step down.

Petroleos De Venezuela S.A. has around $7 billion (£5.32bn) in assets and is one of the country's most important sources of income and foreign currency.

Bolton said: "We have continued to expose the corruption of Maduro and his cronies, and today's action ensures they can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people."

Bolton said he expects the actions against PDVSA will result in more than $11bn (£8.47) in lost export proceeds over the next year.

He added: "We also today call on the Venezuelan military and security forces to accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power."

'CRIME FAMILY'

Welcoming the move, Senator Marco Rubio blasted: "The Maduro crime family has used PDVSA to buy and keep the support of many military leaders.

"The oil belongs to the Venezuelan people, and therefore the money PDVSA earns from its export will now be returned to the people through their legitimate constitutional government."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier told the UN security council to pick a side.

He said: “Either you stand with the forces of freedom or you’re in league with Maduro and his mayhem.

"End this nightmare. No excuses.”

Guaido has continued to ramp up his challenge against Maduro, calling for anti-government protests on Wednesday and Saturday.

Protests have already resulted in burned out cars, looted shops and deaths as civilians take to the streets to support the effort to oust Maduro.

Maduro has turned Venezuela into an economic basket case during his five-year reign, with uncontrolled inflation hurting the lives of everyone in the oil-rich nation.

RUSSIAN BACKING

Maduro was sworn in for a second term earlier this month after an election marred by an opposition boycott and allegations of vote-rigging.

Since Guaidó swore himself in, China, Russia and Syria have all backed Maduro, with Russia warning America off military force.

On Sunday, colonel Jose Luis Silva, Venezuela's top military representative to the US, defected from Maduro's government.

In a statement, apparently read in his Washington office, Silva said: "Today I speak to the people of Venezuela, and especially to my brothers in the nation’s armed forces, to recognise President Juan Guaido as the only legitimate president."

Guaido has said he will continue as interim president until a free and fair election can be called.