US mulls Venezuela options as tensions escalate

Senior Trump administration officials have held three meetings at the White House this week to discuss options for possible military operations in Venezuela, officials said on Friday, amid a growing US military presence in the Caribbean.

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President Donald Trump has deployed F-35 aircraft, warships and a nuclear submarine to the region as part of a military buildup following two months of deadly strikes against boats off Venezuela.

Earlier this week, the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group moved into the Latin America region — bringing with it more than 75 military aircraft and over 5,000 troops.

Mr Trump suggested on Friday that a decision could come soon on whether or not to take military action against Venezuela, which the US president has accused of close ties to the illegal drug trade.

“I can’t tell you what it would be but I sort of made up my mind” on Venezuela, he told reporters on Air Force One.

Four US officials and a source familiar with the matter said the homeland security council meetings took place this week.