President Trump’s pressure campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro continues to ramp up, with his threat this past week to impose a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers, but the

Maduro’s government has called the U.S. behavior “theft” and “an act of international piracy,” and filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council. Maduro also ordered the Venezuelan navy to escort tankers headed to Asia.

New U.S. sanctions have been imposed on family members and associates of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as Washington increases pressure on Caracas. The measures have targeted seven people who are family members or associates of Malpica Flores,

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro used a religiously themed Christmas message to frame his embattled country as a “David against Goliath,” saying that despite “threats,” the most important thing is the hope that Venezuela will get better each day.

The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on family members and associates of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as Washington ratchets up pressure on the Venezuelan president.

President Donald Trump has overseen a large-scale military build-up in the Caribbean, with Venezuela in his sights.

Republican lawmakers are divided over whether President Trump should escalate military pressure on Venezuela to oust President Nicolás Maduro, with some Republicans warning that “regime change” has a history of backfiring on the United States.