US escalates pressure on Venezuela with new sanctions

The U.S. has imposed new sanctions on three nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, six oil tankers, and several companies and individuals accused of carrying oil from Venezuela. The sanctions are part of a broader pressure campaign by the Trump administration to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and hold Maduro's regime accountable for its actions. The new sanctions target Franqui Flores, Carlos Flores, and Efrain Campo, as well as Panamanian businessman Ramon Carretero Napolitano and six firms. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control published the list of newly sanctioned individuals and entities, denying them access to any property or financial assets held in the U.S. The sanctions are intended to prevent U.S. companies and citizens from doing business with them, and banks and financial institutions that violate the restriction may face sanctions or enforcement actions. The U.S. has also seized control of a sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela, escalating the pressure campaign that has seen thousands of U.S. troops deployed to the region.

The article discusses the potential impact of an American oil blockade on the Venezuelan regime, citing a recent operation by US special forces to seize a sanctioned oil tanker. The author argues that the Venezuelan regime relies heavily on oil exports and that a blockade would devastate the regime. The article also touches on the involvement of Iran and the role of US President Donald Trump in the seizure of the tanker and its cargo.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has threatened to 'smash the teeth' of the US, escalating tensions between the two countries after the US seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast. Maduro delivered the remarks while holding Simón Bolívar's sword at a rally, warning supporters to stay alert. The US seizure of the tanker was for allegedly transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. Venezuela's Foreign Ministry condemned the move as 'piracy' and 'plundering' of the country's natural resources. The tensions have grown following months of US maritime strikes targeting vessels used by drug traffickers. Maduro has vowed to protect the country's sovereignty and energy assets, while President Trump has not ruled out sending US troops to Venezuela.

The US has imposed new sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's family members, including his wife's nephews, as well as six oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them. The sanctions are part of the US's efforts to pressure Maduro's government and target its alleged involvement in narcotics trafficking and corruption. The nephews, known as the 'narco nephews,' were previously convicted in the US for attempting to carry out a multimillion-dollar cocaine deal. The US has also seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela and plans to take it to a US port. Maduro's government has denied any links to crime and accused the US of pursuing regime change to control Venezuela's oil reserves.

The US seized an oil tanker, Skipper, off the coast of Venezuela after it was found to be 'spoofing' its location. The tanker had been trying to sail unnoticed by changing names, switching flags, and turning off its tracking system. It had been transporting Iranian and Venezuelan oil to Cuba, violating US sanctions. The seizure is part of the Trump administration's increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The incident highlights concerns about the safety of maritime operations and the effectiveness of sanctions in preventing illicit activities.

The US White House has warned that it will not tolerate sanctioned vessels sailing the seas, following the seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The tanker, named Skipper, was carrying 1.1 million barrels of oil and was seized by US forces executing a seizure warrant. The US is gearing up to intercept more ships, with sources indicating that several more sanctioned tankers have been identified for potential seizure. The seizure is seen as a significant escalation of the US pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government, which has been accused of supporting narcoterrorism and illegitimate regimes.

The US seized a Venezuelan oil tanker, Skipper, off the coast of Venezuela, which was carrying nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil destined for Cuba. The tanker was part of a Venezuelan government effort to support Cuba, with the oil being resold to China to generate hard currency for the Cuban government. The seizure was condemned by Cuban officials as 'piracy and maritime terrorism.' The tanker had previously been involved in shipping Iranian oil to Syria and China. The US action is seen as an attempt to weaken Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's alliances and cut off his access to funds.

Venezuela's oil exports have reportedly fallen sharply after the US seized a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude oil off the coast of Venezuela. The seizure marked the first US capture of Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions were imposed in 2019 and has escalated tensions between the US and Venezuela. The US has imposed fresh sanctions on shipping companies and vessels doing business with Caracas, and is preparing to intercept more ships transporting Venezuelan oil. Venezuela has condemned the seizure as 'blatant theft' and 'international piracy'. The move has also sparked concerns among human rights advocates and US lawmakers about the legality of the US actions.