Bolton says senior Venezuelan officials committed to backing Guaido

"We think it's still very important for key figures in the regime who have been talking to the opposition over these last three months to make good on their commitment to achieve the peaceful transfer of power from the Maduro" regime," Bolton told reporters outside the White House on Tuesday as clashes intensified between regime forces and opposition groups in Caracas.

Bolton specifically mentioned Vladimir Padrino, Venezuela's minister of defense, as well as the chief judge of the country's Supreme Court and the commander of presidential guard.

'They committed'

"All agreed Maduro had to go," Bolton said. "They committed to support ousting Maduro and it's time for them now, if the Cubans will let them do it, to fulfill their commitments."

Bolton warned that if opposition forces fail in their efforts to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the country will sink even deeper into a dictatorship.

"If this effort fails, they will sink into a dictatorship from which there are very few alternatives," Bolton said, adding that President Donald Trump "wants to see a peaceful transfer of power."

"It's a very delicate moment," he said.

CNN's Jennifer Hansler and Phil Mattingly contributed to this report

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