Trump says 'brutal repression' of Venezuelan people 'must end'

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump appealed on Monday for a swift end to the "brutal repression" of the Venezuelan people, following an abortive military uprising by forces backing the US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido.

"The brutal repression of the Venezuelan people must end, and it must end soon," Trump said as he hosted a national day of prayer service at the White House.

"People are starving. They have no food they have no water, and this was once one of the wealthiest countries in the world," said the president.

"So we wish them well, we'll be there to help and we are there to help."