Washington — President Trump is set to meet with his senior national security officials to discuss the next steps in U.S. operations concerning Venezuela, according to a senior military official and sources familiar with the planned White House meeting. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are expected to attend this important meeting, which is focused on strategies for intensifying the pressure on the Maduro regime.
Recently, President Trump revealed that he has been in communication with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Simultaneously, he has bolstered U.S. military capabilities in the region, aligning this strategy with an anti-drug campaign aimed at cartels recognized by his administration as terrorist organizations. The State Department has specifically labeled Maduro as a terrorist.
CNN reported the meeting’s details, which come amid Trump’s increasing military threats in the area and growing scrutiny from lawmakers regarding the Pentagon’s recent strikes on purported drug vessels in the Caribbean. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the president would convene with national security chiefs on the matter, although further specifics about the meeting’s agenda have not yet been disclosed.
The Washington Post highlighted a troubling account of a recent U.S. military strike that reportedly resulted in a “leave no survivors” order given by Hegseth. Following the initial attack on a suspected drug smuggling boat on September 2, which left two survivors adrift, a second strike was ordered, resulting in their deaths. This incident has raised significant concerns, with a working group of former judge advocates general asserting that such actions could violate international law, potentially constituting “war crimes, murder, or both.” They referenced the Geneva Conventions regarding humane treatment of soldiers rendered out of combat.
President Trump has expressed a desire to review the details of the strikes. Speaking to reporters, he noted he “wouldn’t have wanted” the second strike if it were true, reaffirming his faith in Hegseth’s leadership. Meanwhile, GOP Sen. Mike Rounds and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker indicated they would carefully examine the facts surrounding these operations before making definitive comments.
The situation remains tense, especially after Trump announced that Venezuelan airspace should be regarded as closed. Venezuela accused the U.S. of unilaterally halting migrant repatriation flights and attempting to undermine its sovereignty.
The Trump administration claims its military action is focused on combatting drug trafficking into the U.S., while Venezuela views these actions as attempts to destabilize the Maduro government. To bolster its presence, the U.S. has deployed additional military ships to the western Atlantic and Caribbean and reopened a naval base in Puerto Rico.
Although Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia has introduced war powers resolutions aimed at restricting Trump’s military actions in Venezuela, these efforts have not yet gained traction in the Senate. Nonetheless, Kaine asserted that should the U.S. engage in land operations in Venezuela, the dynamics in the Senate could shift dramatically.
As the situation evolves, global attention remains focused on the U.S.’s next moves regarding both its military and diplomatic strategies in Venezuela, highlighting a critical moment in U.S.-Latin American relations.