On October 23, two B-1 Lancers flew near Venezuelan airspace after departing from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, increasing military pressure on Venezuela, although remaining in international airspace.
The B-1 Lancer can travel at supersonic speed. And with a payload (i.e. total weight-carrying capability) of up to 75,000 lbs (34 tons), it is one of the most capable in the US fleet.
In the past weeks, the US also struck seven Venezuelan boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking, killing at least 27 individuals and sparking bipartisan concerns about the strikes’ legality.
These actions have ramped up the pressure on Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro, and even raised suspicions that Washington is attempting to topple the regime in Caracas. So, what exactly happened off the coast of Venezuela, and is the US really thinking about regime change?
Click through for an account of the incidents and a brief history of the often fraught relationship between the United States and Venezuela.