A former White House national security adviser on Venezuela said the current military posture around the country makes the situation "ripe for bombardment," arguing that a recent phone call between president Trump and Nicolás Maduro did not produce progress and has instead escalated pressure on Caracas.
Stephen Donehoo told NTN24 that Washington's approach has shifted after the call. "If it had gone well, the president would have told us," he said. "We are seeing increased pressure ... closing the airspace, additional military flights, and radar systems in neighboring countries."
Donehoo went on to say the National Security Council meeting on Venezuela that took place on Monday was "a last opportunity to tell the president what options he has, what the impact will be," calling it "a political meeting." He said the Joint Chiefs of Staff presented potential military actions while others outlined covert alternatives.
"I think they are ready for a military action," he said. "The situation is ripe for bombardment using cruise missiles or armed drones flying over the area, targeting locations in Venezuelan territory linked to narcotrafficking."
According to reporting by Infobae and other outlets, the phone conversation last week between the U.S. president and Maduro included a warning that the Venezuelan leader must relinquish power soon or face heightened military consequences. Infobae reported that the president told Maduro he "must leave power" along with senior officials, offering safe passage for the group if he stepped down.
Following the call, the president declared Venezuelan airspace "closed in its entirety" and continued a public pressure campaign signaling that further military escalation remains under consideration.
Donehoo has previously outlined to NTN24 several military options under consideration, including amphibious operations, cruise-missile strikes on drug-related targets, and combined actions involving special forces.
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