Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has accused the US of plotting to kill him and topple his government.
He told reporters that US National Security Adviser John Bolton was personally involved in the plot, but did not produce any evidence.
President Trump has labelled the leftist leader a dictator and has imposed sanctions.
Earlier this week the US criticised the arrival of two Russian bombers in venezuela.
The Russian Tupolev Tu-160 bombers are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
What did Maduro say?
“John Bolton has been assigned with the job organising my assassination, deploying foreign troops and imposing a transitional government in Venezuela,” he told journalists at the Miraflores presidential palace.
The Venezuelan people were prepared to fight back, with the help of “friendly countries,” he added,
Mr Maduro has previously accused the US as well as Colombia and the Venezuelan opposition of plotting to kill him.
What was behind the visit by Russian bombers?
The US is increasingly concerned by his government's links with Russia, China and other countries that have differences with the Trump administration.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Russian bombers' visit amounted to “two corrupt governments squandering public funds”.
