Donald Trump has said sending troops to crisis-hit Venezuela is “an option” as western nations increase pressure on socialist leader Nicolas Maduro to hand power over to self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido.

In an astonishing interview, the US president also revealed he had turned down a request to meet Maduro, whose tenure as president has seen the country fall into economic turmoil amid a growing humanitarian crisis.

Asked if he might dispatch American troops there, Mr Trump said: “Certainly it’s something that’s on the – it’s an option.”

Excerpts from the interview – carried out by CBS’s Face The Nation show – were released as thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets to protest against Mr Maduro’s regime, which has been criticised for destroying the economy and disappearing opponents.

When pressed over whether the two leaders might talk, Mr Trump answered: “Well he requested a meeting and I’ve turned it down because we’re very far along in the process.”

Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Show all 18 1 /18 Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Protesters clash with the Bolivarian National Police during a demonstration against the government of the Venezuela and president Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on 23 January 2019 EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators cheer as Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declares himself the country's "acting president" at a rally in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress, declares himself interim president of the nation until elections can be held during a rally in Caracas demanding leader Nicolas Maduro's resignation AP Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters carry letters to form the word "Democracy" while taking part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Police watch over marching anti-government protesters in Caracas EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A vehicle is overturned as opposition demonstrators block a road during a protest against the Venezuelan government AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A National Police officer fires rubber bullets during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A demonstrator throws back a gas canister while clashing with security forces during a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Security forces look on after clashing with opposition supporters participating in a rally against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government epa07313731 Opponents of Chavism demonstrate against the Government of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, 23 January 2019. Chavists and opponents are again demonstrating in the streets of the country to support or question the legitimacy of the head of state, which the Parliament and a large part of the international community do not recognize. EPA/CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Riot police clash with opposition demonstrators during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, in Caracas on January 23, 2019. - Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declared himself the country's "acting president" on Wednesday during a mass opposition rally against leader Nicolas Maduro. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP)YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images YURI CORTEZ AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government The remains of a statue of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez is seen hanging from a pedestrian bridge after it was destroyed in San Felix, Venezuela REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Riot police on motorcycles clash with opposition demonstrators during protests in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Supporters celebrate Juan Guaido declaration that he is Venezuelan president EPA

He added: “I would say this. I decided at the time, ‘no’ because so many really horrible things have been happening in Venezuela when you look at that country.

“That was the wealthiest country of all in that part of the world which is a very important part of the world.

“And now you look at the poverty and you look at the anguish and you look at the crime and you look at all of the things happening.

“So, I think the process is playing out – very very big tremendous protests.”

The US and EU, along with several South American countries, have already recognised the leadership of Juan Guaido, the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela.

The 35-year-old has promised to end the financial crisis in what was once South America’s richest country, and restore democracy.

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He made his challenge to Mr Maduro last month after the latter was sworn in for a second six-year term in office following widely disputed elections in 2018.

On Saturday, a Venezuelan air force general defected from the government and urged others to do the same.