# Trump to Meet with Senior Officials on Venezuela Operations
## Meeting Context
President Donald Trump is set to convene with top officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, for a critical discussion on U.S. operations concerning Venezuela. This meeting comes amid escalating tensions and military buildup in the region as part of a pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
## Diplomatic and Military Strategies
The White House meeting, scheduled for Monday afternoon, coincides with Trump’s recent announcements about having spoken with Maduro, signaling possible shifts in diplomatic strategies. The administration has dramatically increased military presence in the Caribbean, framing the operation as an anti-drug initiative against cartels classified as terrorist organizations by the U.S. State Department.
## Controversial Military Actions
Recent military actions have drawn scrutiny, particularly following reports of a U.S. strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel on September 2. The Washington Post revealed that Hegseth allegedly ordered subsequent airstrikes to ensure there were “no survivors” from the initial attack. This directive has raised serious legal questions, invoking accusations of potential war crimes from a group of former military legal advisers who referenced the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit inhumane treatment of those out of combat.
## Congressional Responses
As the U.S. military continues operations under “Operation Southern Spear,” which aims to combat narco-terrorism, lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, have called for investigations into these strikes. Kaine has expressed concerns that if the reported actions are accurate, they constitute serious violations of both U.S. laws and international humanitarian standards.
## Trump’s Position on Military Engagement
During a recent press interaction, Trump distanced himself from the reported orders, stating he would not have approved the second strike on the drug boat. His comments underscore the tension between military operations and political governance, especially as he warned last week that Venezuelan airspace should be considered closed to U.S. aircraft.
## Implications for Future Actions
The Trump administration continues to assert its intent to curtail drug smuggling into the U.S., amidst claims from Venezuela that these military actions aim to depose Maduro. As military assets have shifted closer to Venezuela, the situation remains volatile, and the upcoming meeting may further define U.S. strategic direction in the region, particularly if ground operations are considered.
As developments unfold, it remains to be seen how Congress will respond and whether legislative measures will gain traction to limit executive military powers in Venezuela.