Venezuela and the US have a tense relationship

The Trump administration says it has killed dozens of people in strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, which it says are from Venezuela and are carrying illegal drugs bound for the US. The US hasn’t provided any evidence or details about those who have been killed. Experts have questioned the legality of these strikes.

President Trump has alleged the Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro runs a criminal group called Cartel de los Soles. Maduro denies this and has accused the US of using its "war on drugs" as an excuse to try and remove him from power to access Venezuela’s huge oil reserves.

Mimi Swaby, a BBC Global Affairs Reporter who focuses on Latin America, explains the history between the US and Venezuela and why the US is launching strikes on boats.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Video producer: Baldeep Chahal
Producers: Emily Horler and Benita Barden
Editor: Verity Wilde