MOSCOW. Aug 17 (Interfax) - The Venezuelan military are seeing the remarks made by United States President Donald Trump about him not ruling out a military option for Venezuela as one of the biggest threats for the country.
"It was with deep indignation that we heard the inappropriate claims that U.S. President Donald Trump made last Friday, August 11, 2017, when he said that he did 'not rule out a military option' with regard to the situation in Venezuela," the Venezuelan Armed Forces said in a statement obtained by Interfax.
"No doubt this unfortunate assertion is noted as one of the biggest ever threats posed to our beloved nation. And not only because it emanates from the government of the strongest military power in the world, but also because it represents a consequence of a pre-written interventionist plan," the statement says.
"The Venezuelan Armed Forces reaffirm their commitment to peace and renew the sacred oath to defend their country and its institutions, even if it means giving their lives," the military said.
"We will not die, we will live to win. We reaffirm our unconditional support and absolute loyalty to the constitutionally elected president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros, our Commander-in-chief, in whose leadership we trust, in order to overcome the difficulties and find a path to reconciliation, peace, stability and national development," the document says.
"No foreign power or empire will take away our right to be free, sovereign and independent," the Venezuelan military said.
The statement was signed by Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez.
U.S. President Trump said earlier that he did not rule out various options to resolve the problem in Venezuela, which is going through a political crisis, "including a possible military option if necessary."
After that Venezuelan President Maduro announced a decision to conduct military drills across the country on August 26-27.