US preparing economic aid for Venezuela in case Maduro leaves office

President Trump’s top economic adviser said Wednesday that the administration is preparing a recovery package to boost the Venezuelan economy in the event that embattled President Nicolás Maduro gives up power.

Larry Kudlow, who leads the National Economic Council, told reporters he is working with other U.S. government agencies on a plan that would get financial assistance to the people of Venezuela quickly to boost the country’s faltering economy.

{mosads}”The restructuring plan would be a plan that would put cash into the country into the hands of the people who are starving,” Kudlow said at a Christian Science Monitor event. “And done in a way … using banks, iPhones, apps, many clever ways to get cash in.”

He added that the currency provided would be dollars initially, and not the Venezuelan currency of bolívars.

Kudlow said he’s working with leaders in the Commerce Department, the Treasury Department and the National Security Council to plan for how to disburse food, cash and other resources into the country should Maduro give up power or be deposed.

“We have a lot of plans to revitalize the Venezuelan economy and to move very rapidly,” he said.

The Trump administration has taken a series of steps to try and pressure Maduro to leave. Maduro has overseen a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis during his time as president.

The U.S. has imposed increasingly restrictive sanctions on Venezuela, and earlier this year led a coalition of nations in recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s legitimate president.

Trump and his advisers have not ruled out using military force in Venezuela, repeatedly telling reporters that “all options” are being considered.