UPDATE - Trump to hold Oval Office meeting on Venezuela 'next steps'

ADDS WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - US President Donald Trump will hold an Oval Office meeting on Monday at 5 pm local time (2200GMT) to determine "next steps" concerning Venezuela, CNN reported, citing sources.

Attendees are expected to include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with White House staff members Susie Wiles and Stephen Miller.

“Out of the effort of transparency, I will confirm that the president will be meeting with his national security team on this subject, and on many matters,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

The forthcoming meeting comes after Trump confirmed Sunday he held a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro but declined to give details, saying it did not go "well or badly."

Asked whether his recent warning about Venezuelan airspace meant an airstrike is imminent, Trump said: "Don't read anything into it."

Trump recently declared Venezuelan airspace would be "completely shut down," prompting Caracas to demand "unconditional respect" for its airspace.

The US has expanded military operations across Latin America in recent months, deploying Marines, warships, fighter jets, bombers, submarines, and drones.

Last week, Trump said the US will "very soon" take action against Venezuelan drug traffickers on land following 21 maritime attacks since September that killed at least 83 people.