MIAMI – Yesterday the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) was asked by Acting Secretary of Defense, Patrick M. Shanahan, to remain in Washington D.C. to provide a current assessment on the situation in Venezuela and the status on planning for military options.
This morning, Adm. Craig S. Faller briefed key diplomatic and national security leadership, to include Secretary of State Mike R. Pompeo, Ambassador John R. Bolton, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Director of National Intelligence Dan R. Coats, and Undersecretary of Defense for Policy John C. Rood on a wide range of military options, as the command continues to monitor activities on the ground in Venezuela.
U.S. Southern Command stands with the people of Venezuela who are suffering at the hand of the illegitimate Maduro regime and remains prepared to support all options, when requested by senior leadership.
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