Trump to meet advisers on Venezuela as US ramps up pressure over drug smuggling

The meeting comes as Trump increases pressure on Venezuela over what the US says are drug shipments emanating from that country.

Updated on: Dec 2, 2025, 04:59:40 IST

By HT News Desk

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US President Donald Trump reportedly plans to meet top advisers to discuss Venezuela, among other topics, on Monday. The meeting is expected to include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and other senior members of Trump's team.

The Trump administration has been weighing options related to combating what it has portrayed as Maduro's role in supplying illegal drugs (Reuters)

The Oval Office meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST, Reuters reported, citing sources. The meeting comes as Trump increases pressure on Venezuela over what the US says are drug shipments emanating from that country.

Trump on Saturday said that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered "closed in its entirety," but gave no further details, stirring anxiety and confusion in Caracas.

Also read: Why US threatened to attack Venezuela. Explaining Trump vs Nicolas Maduro row | Hindustan Times

On Sunday, Trump confirmed that he spoke to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the US considers an illegitimate leader, but Trump declined to provide details of the conversation.

The Trump administration has been weighing options related to combating what it has portrayed as Maduro's role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. Maduro has denied having any links to the illegal drug trade.

Also read: US attacking Venezuela? Pentagon pizza report sparks buzz after Trump orders air space closure | Hindustan Times

White House says follow-up strikes were lawful

Meanwhile, White House on Monday said that the follow-up strike on the alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea in September was lawfully done by the Navy admiral who acted “within his authority and the law.”

During a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reportedly offered the justification for the September 2 strike. This comes after lawmakers from both parties on Sunday announced support for congressional reviews of the strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs.

A total of 11 people were killed in the two strikes in early September, the first in a months-long military campaign that has so far left more than 80 dead, Associated Press reported.

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HT News Desk
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