coinciding with a US military deployment against narco groups in the Caribbean. "The day before yesterday... a drug-trafficking plane entered through the Caribbean. Our aviation detected it in a second," Maduro said at an official event. "Today, two drug-trafficking aircraft entered from the north. And in accordance with our law, we have an interception law... bam, boom, bang!" It was not immediately clear if this meant the planes were shot down. Maduro said the action was taken "to make them respect Venezuela... What is that called? Exercising sovereignty."

Caracas has sought to showcase anti-drug efforts in the face of a massive US military deployment within striking distance of the country. Earlier Wednesday, Venezuela's armed forces said they had destroyed two Colombian "narcotrafficking terrorist" camps on its territory and seized ammunition, all-terrain vehicles, tactical vests, and fuel. Washington calls its deployment an anti-drug operation, but Caracas fears it is a guise for military action to oust Maduro. US President Donald Trump's administration says Maduro is a drug lord, an accusation he denies, and has issued a $50 million reward for information leading to his capture. (Bssnews)