Trump to Meet National Security Team Over Venezuela
President Trump is set to gather his national security team in the Oval Office on Monday to talk about potential strategies in the ongoing campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. However, the White House clarified that no concrete decisions about U.S. military actions have been made yet.
White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt addressed inquiries regarding a “final decision” on U.S. actions, confirming the planned meeting but providing little insight into the specifics. “He meets with his national security team regularly. As commander-in-chief, it’s his duty to maintain global peace,” she explained.
Attending the meeting will be Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, as reported by CNN.
This discussion comes amid reports that the Pentagon has stationed 11 warships, including an aircraft carrier, and 15,000 troops near Venezuela. Additionally, a marine expeditionary force capable of launching land invasions is also on standby.
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan remarked, “The military’s role is to safeguard the homeland.” He emphasized their readiness as they utilize their resources to protect the country.
Currently, the U.S. has limited its actions against Maduro’s government to maritime operations, intercepting drug smuggling ships and reportedly eliminating at least 83 individuals involved in cocaine trafficking.
Trump has hinted that he hasn’t ruled out ground attacks and has instructed the CIA to explore options in Venezuela. In addressing whether U.S. troops might be deployed, Leavitt noted, “The president has a range of options, and I’ll allow him to speak on that.”
On the diplomatic front, the administration has engaged in lengthy discussions with Maduro, who has faced accusations of electoral interference, aiming to persuade him to either collaborate with the U.S. or resign. A source close to the Trump administration expressed urgency, stating, “The strike should have happened weeks ago. It’s now or never. Mr. Maduro is not going to act alone.”
