Trump not ruling out military action to settle Venezuela crisis

The announcement has not sat well with the South American nation, as Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said that Trump's statement was "crazy".

"We have many options for Venezuela, including a possible military option if necessary,' the US President told reporters on Friday.

He also said that the US has troops in distant lands and Venezuela is much closer to home, hinting at the ease the US soldiers will have once they get the nod from the President.

"We have troops all over the world in places that are very far away. Venezuela is not very far away and the people are suffering and they're dying," he said.

The White House also informed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro requested a phone call with the US President, which the latter declined saying that he will gladly pick up the call when democracy is restored in the former's country.

Meanwhile, Venezuela is also being pressurised by Peru, who has criticised its new constituent assembly.

In response to Maduro's actions, Peru has ordered the expulsion of the Venezuelan ambassador from Lima.

The Venezuelan ambassador, Diego Molero, has five days to leave the Peruvian capital.

Weeks ago the US imposed sanctions on Maduro, terming him a dictator.

Following the sanction, US firms and individuals have been prevented from conducting business with Maduro.

A similar tone has been used by Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynsk, who happens to be a fierce critic of Maduro.

Speaking to Reuters news agency, he said, "He's a dictator and has carried out a coup through a fraudulent election to eliminate Congress."

Even as Maduro stressed on the importance of the new assembly, protests and violent demonstrations keep on rocking Venezuela.

So far, at least 120 people have been killed since April.