Today, US President Donald Trump will chair a meeting in the Oval Office to discuss the US's next steps towards Venezuela, at a time when Washington is increasing pressure on the country through operations against naval targets and an increased military presence in the Caribbean.
According to sources, the meeting is expected to be attended by senior figures from the cabinet and national security team, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chief of the Armed Forces General Dan Kane, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
The meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. local time, comes as the U.S. has ratcheted up pressure on Venezuela by raiding suspected drug-trafficking ships and beefing up its military presence in the Caribbean. Last week, Trump said the U.S. would "very quickly" disrupt drug trafficking on land, not just at sea.
Over the weekend, Trump issued a broad warning on social media, calling on airlines, pilots and criminal networks to avoid Venezuelan airspace.
He also confirmed that he had had a telephone conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, without providing details about the content of the discussion.
The White House meeting takes place as members of Congress continue to raise questions about the legality of US attacks on suspected drug trafficking ships in the area, attacks that have caused the deaths of over 80 people.
