The White House chief will make an announcement today

President Donald Trump, who has for months exerted strong military pressure against the Venezuelan regime, is evaluating his options Nicolas Maduro was removed from powerBut there are complications: Maduro resists him and challenges him to dance in front of crowds in Caracas, while scandal grows in Washington over the order – apparently from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth – to open fire. Second attack against a ship that was supposed to be transporting drugs in the Caribbean to eliminate two people who had survived an initial attack, an act condemned by Congress as a potential war crime.

In this precise context, on Tuesday, Trump will hold a Cabinet meeting at 11:30 am (1:30 pm in Argentina) and then at 4:00 pm. “The President will make an announcement.” The White House also announced without specifying the topic. Although Trump may expect some news on any issue related to his administration,… Expectations are growing for a possible announcement on Venezuela.

Trump held a meeting on Monday with his senior ministers and military commanders to evaluate options in Venezuela, after it emerged that he had a phone conversation with Maduro on November 21. In it, according to the Miami Herald newspaper, the American sent a “strong” message to Maduro to leave power.

“You have to leave the country now.” Trump told him and offered safe passage for Maduro, his wife and son “only if he agreed to resign immediately.” Reuters said that the head of the White House gave the Venezuelan tyrant Deadline until last Friday. This limit has been exceeded.

In the call, Venezuela’s president reportedly refused to resign immediately and, according to the Herald and Reuters, made a series of counter-demands, including global immunity for himself and… 100 other officials Facing judicial processes Transfer with Delcy Rodriguez at the helm and allows them to maintain control of the armed forces. It seems that Trump rejected everything and gave him an ultimatum.

What did Maduro do when the deadline expired? He danced defiantly in front of a large crowd of supporters in Caracas at a Trump-themed outdoor event, dispelling earlier rumors that he had acquiesced to US requests to leave the country. “We neither want peace for slaves nor peace for colonies,” Maduro said. Red Trump style hat He danced to a remix with his voice repeating in incompatible English and Spanish: “Yes, peace; yes, peace.”

The attack in Venezuela became a source of irritation for Trump, who imagined that Maduro would immediately flee under military pressure. But the Venezuelan has already submitted Multiple examples to learn how to cheat and manage time.

Meanwhile, Trump is considering what to do with it Massive military deployment Which has settled in the Caribbean in recent months, and which includes the largest aircraft carrier in the world, destroyers, submarines, fighters, missiles, and about 15,000 soldiers.

On the one hand, he hates being defied by the Caribbean man, and wants him to leave, and with this intention the United States can launch a limited attack against targets linked to drug trafficking in Venezuelan territory such as runways, ports, and designated facilities. Thus, Maduro is besieged until he leaves the country. It is unlikely to launch a large-scale attack with the participation of American forces on the ground.

Trump’s rhetoric is strong: He threatened on Thursday that attacks on drug cartel targets on the ground in Venezuela would begin “very soon.” He announced on Saturday that the country’s airspace should be considered closed. But Maduro, meanwhile, remains in power and dancing. The Republican – who has sometimes been accused of backing down or retreating after making threats – may now believe he is losing credibility without a show of military force.

But at the same time, Trump is facing internal pressure due to the attack. There has been massive military expenditure in the area for four months under the pretext of stopping drug trafficking, although a simpler deployment is enough to flood small boats with drugs. In addition, there is a basic fact: 70% of Americans oppose potential military intervention in Venezuela, according to a CBS poll.

Trump’s difficulties are compounded by the legitimacy of the attack. Especially since the White House is failing to calm the growing controversy over it American attack on September 2 In it, as revealed by the American newspaper The Washington Post The survivors of the alleged ship’s crew were killed Drug trafficking in the Caribbean.

Trump’s Democratic critics in Congress warn of this fact It can be classified as a war crime. Many powerful Republicans are shocked, citing an unusual willingness to aggressively investigate the government over the issue. The United States has already killed more than 80 people in about two dozen attacks.

The eye is set more and more In the role of Defense Minister Pete Hegseth In attacks on ships. The former Fox News host was a controversial choice to lead the Pentagon, and during his Senate confirmation hearing, he was specifically chosen His lack of experience, his tough attitude, and his lightness On some ethical and legal issues for the military.

Drone photos of the first attack on September 2 show this There were two survivors out of the 11 that made up the crewWho were clinging to the wreckage of the boat, according to the newspaper. Then the operations commander gave the order to attack again. To comply with Hegseth guidelines. The sources consulted by the newspaper confirmed that the secretary gave a verbal order to kill all crew members. According to those sources, he said: “Kill everyone.”

The government initially dismissed the Washington Post report as “fake news,” but Trump later said: “Pete said he did not order the killing of these two men. And I believe him.”

White House spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt said, under pressure from Congress, “Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral (Frank) Bradley to carry out these kinetic attacks.” “Admiral Bradley acted well within his authority and the law when he ordered the attack to ensure thisThe boat is destroyed and the threat to the United States of America is eliminatedPentagon and military officials are angry because they believe Hegseth is seeking to shirk his responsibilities and shift blame for the controversy onto those in uniform.

Democratic and Republican members of Congress They want to go deeper. Gen. Dan Kaine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was called in and spoke over the weekend with the four bipartisan lawmakers who chair the Senate and House Armed Services committees.

Bradley, who Levitt says ordered the second attack, is expected to do soappear Thursday at a press conference Confidentiality with legislators on Armed Services committees.

In this complex context, Trump is looking for a way out to end the crisis in Venezuela And Maduro’s departure. But time passes, internal pressures in the United States increase, and the Venezuelan continues to cling to his seat.