WASHINGTON– White House national security adviser John Bolton raised questions about the United States’ intentions in Venezuela after he appeared at a briefing on Monday with a notepad containing the words “5,000 troops to Colombia,” which neighbuors Venezuela. It was not immediately clear what Bolton’s notes meant and whether President Donald Trump’s administration was seriously considering sending U.S. troops to Colombia.

It was also not clear if disclosure of the notes was intentional, and there was no indication that such a military option would be used any time soon. Asked about a photograph depicting the notes, a White House spokesman said on Monday: “As the President has said, all options are on the table.” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said the number of U.S. military personnel in Colombia remained unchanged as part of a pre-existing partnership. A U.S. official, who asked not to be named, said they “have seen nothing to support” Bolton’s annotation.(Reuters)…[+]