Sources from the White House have revealed that apart from crippling economic sanctions targeting Venezuela, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested invading the South American country in 2017.

Trump brought up the subject of an invasion in public in August last year, saying: “We have many options for Venezuela, including a possible military option, if necessary.” But the president’s musings about the possibility of a US invasion were more extensive and persistent than that public declaration, according to the Associated Press.

The previous day Trump reportedly took his top officials by surprise in an Oval Office meeting, asking why the US could not intervene to remove the government of Nicolas Maduro on the grounds that Venezuela’s political and economic unraveling represented a threat to the region.

Quoting an unnamed senior administration official, the AP report said the suggestion stunned those present at the meeting, which included the then national security advisor, HR McMaster, and secretary of state, Rex Tillerson. Both have since left the administration.

Trump's aides, including then-national security adviser HR McMaster, vigorously urged him against the idea of a military invasion of Venezuela, warning him it could backfire. He even explained that U.S. allies in Latin America were firmly opposed to such a drastic course of action. Taking military action against Venezuela would be a dramatic escalation of the U.S.'s so-far solely diplomatic and sanctions-focused response to the political and economic crisis roiling the South American country.

Trump reportedly not satisfied or even not believing his aides, during a private dinner on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly with four Latin American leaders, one of whom was Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, the president brought up military intervention in Venezuela again. “My staff told me not to say this,” he began, before circling the table to double check that each leader was sure they didn’t want to the U.S. to oust Maduro. “Each leader,” the Associated Press reports, “told Trump in clear terms they were sure.”

The White House official spoke of Trump’s approach on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.

The U.S. has imposed crippling economic sanctions against the Venezuelan government headed by President Nicolas Maduro. The Trump Administration has accused the Maduro government of being dictatorial and corrupt. They hold them responsible for the mismanagement of the economy which has put the entire country of 31 million people at a risk of food shortage. Venezuela is suffering from a rapidly deteriorating economy, and weakening law and order.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2018 10:11 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).