US, Venezuela clash at UNSC meeting

The United States and Venezuela engaged in a tense confrontation at an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Friday, following deadly US military strikes on four boats Washington alleges were carrying drugs.

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Venezuela requested the meeting, accusing the Trump administration of seeking to topple President Nicolas Maduro and threatening regional and international stability.

The US, which reported 21 fatalities in the strikes, justified its actions as part of a campaign to “eradicate these drug cartels." The operations followed a significant buildup of US maritime forces in the Caribbean.

Venezuela anticipates “armed attack”

Venezuela's UN Ambassador, Samuel Moncada, warned the council that the US's “belligerent action and rhetoric” made it rational to anticipate a very short-term “armed attack” against the country.