EXPLAINER
Opening ‘Pandora’s box’: What happens if the US attacks Venezuela?
Experts warn a US strike on Venezuela could trigger instability rather than a peaceful transition.
![A demonstration against the Contras, the US intervention in Nicaragua, Central America and Honduras [File: Rick Maiman/Sygma via Getty Images]](/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-1039970092-1764842063.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves a flag during a ceremony to swear in new community-based organisations, as the US administration under President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on his government, in Caracas, Venezuela, December 1, 2025 [Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-01T215309Z_812249859_RC2X7IA4GQXT_RTRMADP_3_USA-TRUMP-VENEZUELA-MARCH-1764808402.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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Family of man slain in a US boat strike in the Caribbean lodges complaint
Family of Colombian fisherman Alejandro Carranza say his right to life was violated in US ‘narco-terrorist’ strikes.
EXPLAINER
US-Venezuela tensions: Your questions answered
US-Venezuela relations have reached boiling point. Here’s everything you need to know.
![This combination of pictures shows Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (L) in Caracas on January 10, 2025, and US President Donald Trump (R) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 15, 2025 [File: Juan Barreto and Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AFP__20250808__692X2GD__v1__HighRes__ComboVenezuelaUsPoliticsMaduroTrump-1762159320.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Venezuela denounces US-ordered ‘forced sale’ of oil company Citgo
A Delaware judge has ordered the sale to settle debts, as Venezuela says US military buildup is targeting its oil.
Colombia’s Petro invites Trump to cocaine lab demolition amid attack threat
Colombian president chides Trump, saying 18,400 cocaine laboratories have been destroyed ‘without missiles’ fired.
EXPLAINER
Trump’s boat bombings: How the US has long used ‘double-tap’ strikes
‘Double-tap strikes’ allegedly used on Venezuelan boats accused of trafficking drugs were used extensively under Obama.
From: NewsFeed
Hegseth under scrutiny after US kills boat strike survivors
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is facing questions after authorising a second attack on an alleged drug boat.
Published On 2 Dec 2025
EXPLAINER
Hegseth or Admiral Bradley: Who approved the second Venezuela boat strike?
The US defence secretary and White House have defended the second strike, but Trump said he would not have wanted it.
From: NewsFeed
Video: ‘Slaves, never!’ Venezuela’s Maduro holds rally amid US tensions
President Nicolas Maduro told supporters at a rally in Caracas he wants “peace with sovereignty”, amid US tensions.
Published On 2 Dec 2025
Maduro rejects a ‘slave’s peace’ for Venezuela as US ramps up pressure
Thousands rally in Caracas in support of Venezuela’s president as concerns grow over potential US military action.
Trump, US officials discuss Venezuela amid concerns over military build-up
US military build-up near Venezuela raises fear of invasion; White House defends kill order of alleged drug smugglers.
