The president has signed off on possible operations inside Venezuela but has also reopened back-channel communications with the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

President Trump saying he’s not ruling out sending troops into Venezuela appeared at odds with his claim that his administration may be open to talks with Nicolás Maduro.

Two American warships were spotted near Venezuela off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago. Some 15,000 U.S. troops and sailors are in the region as Pres. Trump reviews possible strike options.

President Donald Trump suggested he has made up his mind on a course of action in Venezuela following multiple high-level briefings this week and a mounting US show of force in the region.

The latest: President Donald Trump told reporters today that he will not rule out putting boots on the ground in Venezuela as part of his military anti-narcotics mission. A judge said the Department of Justice committed potential misconduct in the Comey case. Trump reversed his stance on the House vote on the Epstein files.

The U.S. continues to conduct deadly strikes off of Venezuela and is assembling unprecedented firepower for what could become a full-on military conflict. The big picture: President Trump and his administration have been quiet about who has been killed and on what evidence,

President Donald Trump encouraged House Republicans to vote this week to release more files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as US tensions with Venezuela grow. Follow here for the latest live updates.