President Donald Trump will host a meeting at the White House on Monday evening to discuss future measures regarding Venezuela, people familiar with the situation told CNN, as the administration tightens its pressure campaign against the country.
The discussion, which is likely to take place at 5 p.m. ET in the Oval Office, comes as the United States has upped pressure on Venezuela with strikes on drug vessels and a military asset buildup in the Caribbean. As part of what the Pentagon has dubbed “Operation Southern Spear,” the US military has gathered 15,000 soldiers and more than a dozen warships in the area.
Last week, the president also declared that the United States will “very soon” eliminate drug trafficking from Venezuela by land as well as by water. Over the weekend, the president issued a sweeping edict on social media, warning airlines, pilots and criminal networks to avoid Venezuelan airspace. But on Sunday, he warned reporters not to interpret the statement.
Additionally, Trump acknowledged that he had a phone conversation with Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela, although he did not specify what was discussed. The administration last week formally labelled Maduro and allies of his government as members of a foreign terrorist organization, a step officials contend will provide the US greater military options for striking within Venezuela.
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