U.S. Warns Russia Over Troops in Venezuela, Threatens Sanctions

The White House on Friday warned Russia and other countries backing President Nicolas Maduro against sending troops and military equipment to Venezuela, saying the United States would view such actions as a "direct threat" to the region's security. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been given a list of options to respond to Russia's growing presence in Venezuela in support of Maduro, including new sanctions, said Elliott Abrams, the U.S. special representative for Venezuela. "We have options and it would be a mistake for the Russians to think they have a free hand here. They don’t," Abrams told reporters at the State Department. More…