WASHINGTON, March 3 (Xinhua) -- U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Sunday that the United States plans to form a coalition to change the Venezuelan government, adding his administration is not afraid to use "Monroe Doctrine" in Venezuela-related issues.
"We are trying to rally support for the peaceful transition of power from Maduro to Juan Guaido, whom we recognize as the president," Bolton said during an interview with CNN's "State of the Union."
"I'd like to see as broad a coalition as we can put together to replace Maduro ... That's what we are trying to do," Bolton noted.
When asked if the "U.S. support for other brutal dictators around the world undermines the credibility" of his argument, Bolton said "no, I don't think it does. I think this is separate."
He explained that the Trump administration is not afraid to use the phrase "Monroe Doctrine" in its aggressive Venezuela policy, referring to the U.S. earlier foreign policy calling for its leadership in the West Hemisphere through interventionism in the domestic policy of other nations in the region.
"In this administration, we're not afraid to use the word 'Monroe Doctrine.' This is a country in our hemisphere," Bolton said. "Part of the problem in Venezuela is the heavy Cuban presence. 20,000 to 25,000 Cuban security officials by reports that have been in the public. But this is the sort of thing that we find unacceptable and that's why we're pursuing these policies."
The administration of President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as the nation's "interim president" on Jan. 23, days after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was inaugurated for a second term as president.
In response, Maduro severed "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States.
U.S. State Department on Thursday revoked the visas of 49 Maduro-aligned individuals. Later on Friday, U.S. Treasury Department slapped fresh sanctions on six Venezuelan security officials aligned with Maduro.
