The U.S. is 'in active pursuit' of an oil tanker after President Donald Trump announced a total blockade of Venezuela's oil exports.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced approval of a new law aimed at guaranteeing freedom of navigation and international trade.

President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. is still actively pursuing an oil tanker linked to Venezuela, but that he's confident the vessel will be seized.

Venezuela's parliament on Tuesday approved a measure that would criminalize a broad range of activities that can hinder navigation and commerce in the South American country, such as the seizure of oil tankers.

The comment was made during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, which Venezuela called over the U.S.' recent seizures of Venezuelan oil tankers.

Tanker loading in Venezuela dwindled on Monday, following U.S. action against two more ships and as state-run energy company PDVSA struggles to recover from a cyberattack.

The campaign to topple President Nicolás Maduro is stranding Venezuelans around the world, compounding the misery of a beleaguered population.

They’re also taking advantage of U.S. threats to crack down on internal dissent, local and international monitors say. The government of President Nicolás Maduro “has used U.S. pressure as an excuse to deploy the military,