Venezuela accuses US of 'aggression'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday recent incidents between his country and the United States are an "aggression" by the US, not tensions between the two countries, and that there is no communication between the governments.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has ratcheted up US military presence in the southern Caribbean as part of what it says is a crackdown on drug smugglers.

This month, a US military strike killed 11 people and sank a boat from Venezuela that the Trump administration claimed was transporting illegal narcotics.

The US government is trying to justify the launch of a "criminal attack" on his country, Maduro said during a press conference attended by top military brass and other officials.

"This isn't tension. It is an aggression all down the line, it's a police aggression...a political aggression, a diplomatic aggression and an ongoing aggression of military character," Maduro said. Reuters