The UN on Friday warned of mounting risks to regional peace after a series of US military strikes on boats it accused of drug trafficking left at least 21 dead in the southern Caribbean, prompting Venezuela to declare a state of emergency and denounce the attacks as a breach of international law.

Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča said the US operations, conducted between 2 September and 3 October, have heightened tensions in the region and drawn sharp criticism from Caracas.

“Venezuelan authorities have announced that they remain on high alert since the United States military deployments were first reported in August,” he said, noting that President Nicolás Maduro has mobilized 4.5 million members of the Bolivarian Militia to supp

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