After surrounding Venezuela with a significant U.S. military presence offshore, President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with top advisers on Monday to determine his next steps, according to a new report.
On Saturday, Trump posted on social media that Venezuela’s airspace should now be viewed as fully closed.
A day later, a separate report indicated that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro had recently been told by the White House during a phone call that the time to relocate himself and his immediate family had arrived.
According to that report, Maduro declined, saying he intended to retain control of the nation’s armed forces.
Trump confirmed on Sunday that he spoke directly with Maduro.
When asked how the conversation went, Trump replied, “No, I wouldn’t say it went well or badly. It was a phone call.”
A Monday afternoon meeting is expected to shape the next phase of the U.S. pressure campaign against Venezuela — an effort Trump has described as targeting narcotics networks and criminal organizations operating inside the country.
Those expected to attend the meeting include the secretary of defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the secretary of state, the White House chief of staff, and senior advisers.
Last week, Trump suggested that after weeks of intercepting drug-carrying vessels offshore, operations on land could begin “very soon.”
However, when asked on Sunday whether his airspace comments signaled upcoming air operations, Trump responded, “Don’t read anything into it.”
He was also asked why the U.S. would close Venezuelan airspace.
“Because we consider Venezuela to be not a very friendly country,” Trump said.
He added that Venezuela had allowed large numbers of individuals — including criminals — to leave the country and enter the United States, creating significant issues.
Venezuela responded by rejecting the U.S. position, stating that no foreign authority has the right to determine or limit the use of its national airspace. It also announced it had suspended flights returning deported migrants back to Venezuela.
Reports indicate that approximately 11 U.S. warships are now positioned in the region, including a carrier strike group with more than 70 aircraft. Roughly 15,000 American service members are deployed nearby.