What in the World Venezuela and the US have a tense relationship
Dec 9, 2025
Mimi Swaby, a BBC Global Affairs Reporter specializing in Latin America, offers a profound insight into the tense relations between Venezuela and the US. She highlights the alarming exodus of over eight million Venezuelans and the devastating impact of economic collapse and sanctions. Swaby discusses the US strikes on boats allegedly linked to Venezuelan drug trafficking and the lack of evidence provided by the US government. The conversation touches on mixed Venezuelan sentiments regarding outside intervention and the complex historical relationship with the US.
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US Boat Strikes Without Public Evidence
- The Trump administration has conducted lethal strikes on boats it says carry Venezuelan drugs without publishing evidence.
- Venezuela denies involvement and accuses the US of using a drug war pretext to target Maduro.
Wealthy Resources, Deep Economic Collapse
- Venezuela has seen decades of mismanagement, sanctions and corruption leading to economic collapse and mass emigration.
- Despite having the world's largest oil reserves, sanctions and poor governance prevent the country from benefiting from its resources.
Decades-Long Diplomatic Breakdown
- US–Venezuela relations cooled after Hugo Chávez aligned Caracas with China, Cuba and Iran and expelled US-backed NGOs.
- Relations have worsened under Nicolás Maduro and are now the worst in decades, analysts say.