The Trump administration is aggressively stoking tensions with Venezuela and its president, Nicolás Maduro. It is leading to a situation which appears to be creating conditions that could lead to a military confrontation between America and Venezuela. A major buildup of US naval forces is underway outside Venezuela’s waters as the administration has stepped up belligerent rhetoric about fighting drug cartels. It has also labelled Maduro a terrorist-cartel leader. All that raises the question of whether the end goal is just to counter drug-smuggling boats, or potentially regime change. n18oc_crux