MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. US military intervention in Venezuela remains possible, such an operation forms part of Washington’s position, Russian Ambassador to Caracas Vladimir Zaemsky said in an interview to Russian news agencies.

"Unfortunately, this scenario is possible," the diplomat said. "You have probably seen the reports from a couple of weeks ago, when one of the foreign news agencies published information that in May of last year, [US] President Donald Trump seriously discussed military intervention in Venezuela with his aides."

"The White House denied this, stating that this option was not considered as a priority," Zaemsky added. "However, unfortunately, the Americans stress that part of their position is keeping all options on the table, including the military one."

"If so, this is a serious threat, and moreover, the USA have openly admitted that they are reviving the Monroe doctrine (establishing exclusive interests of the US in the Western hemisphere - TASS), and that they see everything south of their borders as a favorite backyard, where they would like to maintain the existing order," the Russian diplomat noted.

Earlier, Associated Press reported that US President Donald Trump was considering invading Venezuela in the summer of 2017. In September 2017, Trump raised the same issue at UN’s General Assembly. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on the national armed forces to be ready to protect Venezuela in the face of possible military aggression.

'Color revolution'

The threat that the Venezuelan opposition will try to carry out a color revolution still remains, though the government’s opponents have lost strength and are facing difficulties in bringing people out to the streets, the Russian diplomat believes. 

"The threat is still there because some radical opposition members say that the government must be removed but as it is impossible to do that legally, though election, then there is only one thing to do - organize an uprising," he said. "If these political activists maintain such views then the threat is likely to remain," the Russian ambassador added.

"They are trying to stage mass protests but have not succeeded so far," Zayemksy said. "Protests are taking place only because the situation in the country is difficult, there are water and electricity shortages. People are frustrated but the opposition has been failing to turn pockets of discontent into a unified front," he noted.

Anti-government protests roiled Venezuela for several months in 2017. At least 120 people died and thousands suffered injuries during demonstrations, while over five thousand protesters were arrested. Large-scale protests, caused by a complex economic situation and the confrontation between the parliament and government, gained strength after the Supreme Court had decided to expand the president’s powers and limit those of the parliament.

On May 20, 2018, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was re-elected. Venezuela largest opposition parties did not participate in the election. A number of countries, including the US and some of the Latin American states, refused to recognize the presidential election’s results.