US destroyer near Venezuela sparks fears of war

Tensions are rising off the coast of Venezuela after a US Navy missile destroyer was spotted just 11 kilometres from Venezuelan waters, officially said to be taking part in "military exercises".

According to international correspondent, Adam Gilchrist, the deployment, however, comes amid heightened hostility between Washington and Caracas, with US President Donald Trump having repeatedly branded Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro a "drug gang leader" and head of an "organised crime ring".

Venezuela’s Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, is accusing the United States of attempting to overthrow the Maduro government and turn the country into a US colony, exploiting its vast reserves of oil, coal, gold, and rare earth minerals such as coltan, which is essential for manufacturing mobile phones and electronics.

He added that, while the US insists its naval presence is part of routine operations, the timing and proximity are fuelling speculation of military escalation. 

"Let's just take those chilling words of Donald Trump, as he put it: 'The sea is very well under control. We're looking at land now.' Is that an invasion in the making?"

To listen to Gilchrist in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, use the audio player below [skip to 1:41].