Pompeo to Fox News' Chris Wallace: Maduro is a 'sick tyrant'

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo referred to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a "sick tyrant" who is denying food and medicine to starving Venezuelans during an interview with Fox News' Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday.

In response to Wallace's questioning on the violent standoff at the Venezuela-Colombia border between anti-government protesters and the Venezuelan military on Saturday, Pompeo said that the Venezuelan people "are speaking loudly and clearly" and understand that internationally recognized interim President Juan Guaido is the legitimate leader of the country.

"We're very hopeful that in the days and weeks and months ahead, that the Maduro regime will understand that the Venezuelans have made its days numbered," Pompeo said.

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Wallace pressed Pompeo about whether or not the U.S. would provide military support to the opposition forces in the country. Pompeo did not deny the possibility. "We've said every option's on the table," Pompeo told Wallace. "We're gonna do the things that need to be done to make sure that the Venezuelan people's voice, that democracy reigns, and that there's a brighter future for the people of Venezuela." The exchange occurs in the first three minutes of the video below.

Pompeo also tweeted the United States' commitment to the Venezuelan opposition forces on Saturday evening. Tim O'Donnell