Franco Ordonez

and Venezuela after a massive buildup of U.S.

military forces in the Caribbean and the targeting of alleged drug-smuggling boats and oil tankers.

The Venezuelan government quickly denounced the strikes.

In a social media post on Telegram, Venezuela said the government "...rejects, condemns, and denounces before the international community the extremely grave military aggression carried out by the current government of the United States of America."

against Venezuelan territory and population.

Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

President Trump vowed to step in if Iran uses lethal force on demonstrators as economic protests continue.

In an early morning social media post, Trump wrote that if Iran kills peaceful protesters, then, quote, the United States of America will come to their rescue.

We are locked and loaded and ready to go.

The comments mark a sharp escalation by the president toward Iran.

Clashes between police and protesters have turned deadly over the past week.

Iran warned that any U.S.

intervention would be crossing a red line.

and be met with a response.

Franco Ordonez, NPR News, Palm Beach.

President Trump vowed to step in if Iran uses lethal force on demonstrators as economic protests continue.

In an early morning social media post, Trump wrote that if Iran kills peaceful protesters, then, quote, the United States of America will come to their rescue.

We are locked and loaded and ready to go.

The comments mark a sharp escalation by the president toward Iran.

Clashes between police and protesters have turned deadly over the past week.