Trump Briefed on Military Options for Venezuela Amid Rising Tensions

URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump has been presented with updated military options concerning Venezuela in a critical briefing held on Wednesday, according to multiple sources close to the discussions. The meeting, which included senior military officials such as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, focused on potential operations that could include land strikes.

While no final decision has been made, the urgency of the situation is palpable as tensions escalate in the region. Sources indicate that the U.S. intelligence community played an essential role in providing information for these potential operations, highlighting the gravity of the current geopolitical climate.

Amid these developments, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was attending a G7 Summit in Canada, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was absent from the White House discussions due to her return from an overseas trip. The absence of key officials raises questions about the broader implications of U.S. actions in Venezuela.

Earlier this week, the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group entered the operational area of U.S. Southern Command, the primary military unit responsible for operations in the Caribbean and South America. This strategic deployment includes a flotilla of destroyers and warplanes already stationed in the region, signaling a robust military presence aimed at addressing ongoing challenges.

In the past two months, the U.S. military has conducted strikes against at least 21 vessels suspected of drug trafficking from South America to the U.S., resulting in the deaths of at least 80 alleged smugglers. Two survivors were repatriated to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia, with one individual released in Ecuador due to a lack of evidence against him.

As military options are on the table, all eyes are on the White House for further announcements. The situation remains fluid and could evolve rapidly in the coming days.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.