The United States clashed with Venezuela and its allies at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, with the Trump administration vowing to use its "full might" to eradicate drug cartels and the Maduro government saying it anticipates "an armed attack." Venezuela asked for the meeting of the UN's most powerful body following deadly US military strikes on four boats that Washington says were carrying drugs. Venezuela accused US President Donald Trump of seeking to topple President Nicolás Maduro and threatening "peace, security and stability regionally and internationally."

The Trump administration has said three of the targeted boats set out to sea from Venezuela. The strikes, which the US said killed 21 people, followed a buildup of US maritime forces in the Caribbean unlike any seen in recent times.