President Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted Colombian President Iván Duque and his wife at the White House on Wednesday, kicking off a visit that will give the leaders a chance to discuss mutual concerns such as the crisis in Venezuela and drug addiction.
Mr. Trump said Venezuela, where protesters are urging socialist President Nicolas Maduro to step down, will be the main topic of the day.
The U.S. has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as it waits to see if Mr. Maduro will cede power.
Asked if Mr. Trump will consider using military might in Colombia’s neighbor, he said he will “look at all options.”
“I never talk about that,” he said.
Mr. Trump noted the U.S. military fights all over the globe but that Venezuela is a big problem in its own hemisphere.
He also said the U.S. is sending “tremendous amounts of food” to the beleaguered nation.
Mr. and Mrs. Trump welcomed Mr. Duque and his wife, first lady Juliana Ruiz Sandoval, at the south portico of the White House and posed for pictures, before heading into the Oval Office.
Mr. Duque is set to meet with members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy later Wednesday.
He will stay until Saturday, also meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and touring the World Bank and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, before heading north to meet with credit-rating agencies and ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
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Source:Washington Times
