As Trump crackdown cripples Venezuela’s economy, Maduro eyes private tankers for exporting oil

The US has escalated its campaign against Venezuela by seizing oil tankers and blockading vessels linked to sanctioned crude exports, directly targeting the country's vital oil industry. Venezuela has condemned the US actions as piracy, passed laws criminalizing such blockades, and mobilized its navy to escort shipments, with support from allies like China and Russia. The crackdown threatens Venezuela's main revenue source, risks worsening its economic crisis, and could heighten regional tensions and humanitarian hardship.