Tensions are escalating in the Caribbean as President Donald Trump meets his national security team to decide Washington’s next steps on Venezuela, following a controversial double strike on alleged drug smugglers.
00:00Welcome back. Tensions are rising in the Caribbean as U.S. President Donald Trump meets his national security team to discuss the next steps on Venezuela.
00:10His administration is facing renewed calls from lawmakers to release more details, particularly over a controversial September decision to strike an alleged drug smuggling boat twice, killing the remaining survivors in the second attack.
00:25Last week, Trump said land operations against Venezuelan criminal groups could begin very soon, signaling a sharp escalation of months-long U.S. strikes.
00:37Over the weekend, U.S. lawmakers pledged to tighten oversights after reports that War Secretary Peter Heksef ordered everyone on a suspected smuggling boat to be killed.
00:46The White House, through spokesperson Carolyn Levitt, confirmed Heksef authorized the initial strike, but said a top Navy admiral approved a second attack on the vessel and defended the move as lawful.
00:59More than 80 people have died in similar strikes across the Caribbean Sea since early September.
01:05In Caracas, President Nicolas Maduro accused Washington of seeking to outs him, telling supporters in a rally on Monday that Venezuela does not want a slave's peace.
01:15Trump confirmed he recently spoke with Maduro, but did not disclose details.
01:21In a Reuters report citing sources, Maduro allegedly requested full amnesty for himself and his family, the lifting of sanctions and the end of an ICC case against him.
01:31Trump declared Venezuela's airspace closed over the weekend, raising concerns about possible U.S. military action.
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