US conducts strikes near Venezuela

WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (AP): The Trump administration has carried out a series of military operations near Venezuela over the past three months, including attacks on alleged drug-smuggling vessels and the seizure of an oil tanker, in what officials describe as an "armed conflict" with drug cartels.
At least 99 people have been killed in 26 known strikes, while the U.S. has deployed its largest regional naval buildup in decades.