FILE - In this July 5, 2013 file photo, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, left, speaks with Defense Minister Admiral Diego Molero, right, during an Independence Day parade at Fort Tiuna in Caracas, Venezuela, as first lady Cilia Flores stands between them. Peru's government has expelled Molero, Venezuela's current ambassador to Peru, as regional pressure builds on Maduro's government for allegedly trampling on the constitutional order. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)
The Associated Press
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - The top U.S. diplomat in Venezuela has arrived to hear what is likely to be a stinging rebuke to President Donald Trump's talk of a "military option" to resolve the country's political crisis.
A straight-faced Lee McClenny walked into the colonial government building known as the Yellow House in Caracas on Saturday morning along with other foreign diplomats for a meeting with Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza. He did not make any comments.
Following the meeting Arreaza is expected to deliver a government statement responding to Trump's remarks, which have been panned by government allies as a dramatic escalation of the country's political conflict.
The United States and Venezuela have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010. McClenny has been serving as charge d'affaires in Caracas since 2014.
A life-size cutout of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez waving his nation's flag stands on a balcony at Venezuela's embassy in Lima, Peru, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Peru's government has expelled Venezuela's ambassador as regional pressure builds on President Nicolas Maduro's government for allegedly trampling on the constitutional order. Peru said in a statement Friday that it was giving Ambassador Diego Molero, a former defense minister, five days to leave the country. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
The Associated Press
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, center, with his wife Cilia Flores, left, and Constitutional Assembly President Delcy Rodriguez wave as they arrive to the National Assembly building for a session with the Constitutional Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
The Associated Press
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, center, flanked by his wife Cilia Flores, left, and Constitutional Assembly President Delay Rodriguez, arrive to the National Assembly building to attend a special session of the constitutional assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017. The new constitutional assembly has declared itself as the superior body to all other governmental institutions, including the opposition-controlled congress. At top is a bust of the nation's independence hero Simon Bolivar. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
The Associated Press
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves upon arrival to the National Assembly building to attend a session of the Constitutional Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017. The new constitutional assembly has declared itself as the superior body to all other governmental institutions. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
The Associated Press
Pedestrians pass Venezuela's embassy in Lima, Peru, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Peru's government has expelled Venezuela's ambassador as regional pressure builds on President Nicolas Maduro's government for allegedly trampling on the constitutional order. Peru said in a statement Friday that it was giving Ambassador Diego Molero, a former defense minister, five days to leave the country. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
The Associated Press