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Venezuela has begun the deployment of its 500,000 man army throughout the country, with emphasis on its border with Colombia.

In response, Colombia is now deploying troops to its border with Venezuela . . .

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino declares his forces are prepared for an invasion: “We are seeing the same formula they applied to Libya... They will try to penetrate across the border... So we are waiting for them here.”

Venezuelan soldiers on TV are telling the United States "You want war, we will give you war."

In an interview with Russian Television station Ria Novasti,  Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro claims President Donald Trump has given an order to kill him.

-First, my destiny is in the hands of the Lord, I am a Christian, I believe in the defense of the Lord ... The people of Venezuela protect me all the time, we have a good intelligence service. But without a doubt, Donald Trump gave the order to kill me, told the Colombian government, the Colombian mafia, to kill me. If something happens to me once, Donald Trump and Colombian President Ivan Duque will be responsible. Meanwhile, they protect me, we have a good system of protection, and, moreover, we have more substantial protection - this is protection from God, who will give me a long life.

In the meantime, Video from Colombia shows that country is now deploying its army to the border with Venezuela:

#Colombia|n army moves troops to #Cucuta, a border town near #Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/aBRCSCTmpG

— Ali Özkök (@Ozkok_) January 30, 2019

When countries start deploying troops on this scale, the outlook for future conflict is severe.  

ARMY DEFECTORS

Defectors from Venezuela's army who are now loyal to self-declared president Juan Guaidó have called on the Trump administration to arm them in what they refer to as their quest for "freedom," and are strongly opposed to the United States conducting a broad military intervention.

Two former soldiers, Carlos Guillen Martinez and Josue Hidalgo Azuaje, who live outside the country, say they are in contact with hundreds of willing defectors who want US military assistance in their revolt against the Maduro regime. 

"As Venezuelan soldiers, we are making a request to the US to support us, in logistical terms, with communication, with weapons, so we can realize Venezuelan freedom," Guillen Martinez told CNN. 

Hidalgo Azuaje said: "We're not saying that we need only US support, but also Brazil, Colombia, Peru, all brother countries, that are against this dictatorship."

The appeal came as US national security advisor John Bolton on Sunday warned the Maduro government that violence against Venezuela's political opposition—or against its leader and self-declared president Juan Guaidó—would be met with stern reprisals.

Bolton also appealed to the Venezuelan military to assist in the smooth transition of power from Maduro to Guaidó, whom the US has recognized as the legitimate head of state.

American officials have repeatedly warned that no options are off the table, in terms of US intervention. -CNN