The latest developments in Trump’s pressure campaign against Venezuela.
In his latest move against Caracas, US President Donald Trump sanctioned four relatives of his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, as well as six shipping companies active in the country’s oil sector.
Meanwhile, the US on Wednesday seized a Venezuelan oil tanker identified by the maritime resource Skipper in the Caribbean Sea, a move that has affected global oil prices.
Trump confirmed the seizure of the tanker and announced that “other things are happening.”
In response to Washington’s move, Maduro declared that a period of criminal US piracy in the Caribbean had begun.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry also condemned the move in a statement, saying: “This incident is not an isolated incident, but part of Washington’s aggressive and planned policy against Caracas.”
The seizure comes as Donald Trump has sharpened his tone against Maduro in recent weeks, while not ruling out a ground invasion of Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the recent tensions, announced in a phone call with his Venezuelan counterpart that Moscow supports Caracas on the issue.