U.S. concern grows over possible Venezuela meltdown - officials

People queue to try to buy basic food items outside a supermarket in Caracas March 16, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is increasingly concerned about the potential for an economic and political meltdown in Venezuela, spurred by fears of a debt default, growing street protests and deterioration of its oil sector, U.S. intelligence officials said on Friday.

In a bleak assessment of Venezuela's worsening crisis, the senior officials expressed doubt that unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro would allow a recall referendum this year, despite opposition-led protests demanding a vote to decide whether he stays in office.