• President Trump will convene top national security officials this evening to discuss Venezuela, following a confirmed but undisclosed phone call with President Nicolás Maduro.
  • The U.S. has intensified military and rhetorical pressure, warning Venezuelan airspace is "closed" and conducting strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats.
  • The Oval Office meeting signals a potential pivot in U.S. strategy, moving from isolation to direct engagement backed by threats of further action.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a high-level meeting in the Oval Office at 5 p.m. ET today to discuss the escalating situation in Venezuela. The meeting will include top officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, according to people familiar with the matter.

This comes after Trump confirmed over the weekend that he had spoken directly with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, though he provided no details about the conversation. Reports indicate the two leaders discussed the possibility of a meeting, but Maduro has not publicly acknowledged the call. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the agenda for today's session.

Trump has also warned that Venezuelan airspace should be considered “closed,” and the U.S. has intensified pressure on Venezuela, including recent military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats and threats of land-based operations. These actions, justified as anti-drug operations, have disrupted regional trade and travel, adding another layer of strain to Venezuela’s already crippled economy.

The U.S. continues to label Maduro’s government as the “Cartel de los Soles,” a designated terrorist group, and has offered Maduro an ultimatum to resign and leave the country or face consequences. This hardline stance, coupled with the direct communication channel, marks a significant and volatile shift in U.S. policy. Analysts suggest the Oval Office meeting could precede a new round of negotiations, a sharp escalation of sanctions, or even more direct military action, depending on Maduro’s next move.

For Venezuelan citizens, the heightened rhetoric and military posturing translate to increased uncertainty. Rights monitors report the country is entering one of its most repressive periods in years as the government braces for external pressure. The outcome of today’s discussions could reshape not only U.S.-Venezuela relations but also set a precedent for how Washington handles crises involving regimes it labels as criminal enterprises.