Bolton eyes support to Venezuelan opposition

US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Sunday that the United States plans to form a coalition to change the Venezuelan government, adding that Washington is not afraid to use the term "Monroe Doctrine" in Venezuela-related issues.

"We are trying to rally support for the peaceful transition of power from Maduro to Juan Guaido, whom we recognize as the president," Bolton said during an interview with CNN's program State of the Union.

"I'd like to see as broad a coalition as we can put together to replace Maduro. ... That's what we are trying to do," Bolton said.

He said that the US is not afraid to use the phrase "Monroe Doctrine" in its aggressive Venezuela policy, referring to the US earlier foreign policy calling for its leadership in the West Hemisphere through interventionism in the domestic policy of other nations in the region.

"In this administration, we're not afraid to use the word 'Monroe Doctrine'. This is a country in our hemisphere," Bolton said.

The government of US President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as the nation's "interim president" on Jan 23, days after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was inaugurated for a second term as president.

In response, Maduro severed "diplomatic and political" ties with the US.

The US State Department on Thursday revoked the visas of 49 Maduro-aligned individuals. Later on Friday, the US Treasury Department slapped fresh sanctions on six Venezuelan security officials aligned with Maduro.

Meanwhile, opposition supporters in Venezuela were set to take to the streets on Monday after Guaido called for mass protests against Maduro - as the opposition leader prepared to return after a week touring some Latin American countries.

Guaido's reappearance in Venezuela would pose an immediate challenge to Maduro, who will have to decide whether to arrest him for defying a travel ban - thereby provoking strong Western condemnation - or allow him to enter unmolested, which would undermine his authority, analyst said.

Defying a Venezuelan government travel ban, Guaido slipped across the border to Colombia on Feb 23 in an attempt to escort in truckloads of alleged "international humanitarian aid", mainly from the US. While in Colombia, he met with visiting US Vice-President Mike Pence.

The 35-year-old then traveled to Brazil, where he met the country's new president, Jair Bolsonaro, and on Friday traveled to Paraguay and Argentina.

Maduro - who retains the support of Venezuela's military - accuses Washington of interventionism. He warned last week that Guaido should "respect the law" and would have to "face justice" if he returns to the country.

Xinhua and AFP contributed to this story.