Trump reiterated his demand that Maduro step down and confirmed that the U.S. would either retain or sell the Venezuelan oil seized off the coast in recent weeks. “I think it’d be smart for him to do that,” Trump told reporters, adding that continued resistance from Maduro would be his “last chance to act tough.”
China condemned the seizure of a tanker bound for its ports, calling it a “serious violation of international law.” A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that Venezuela has the right to develop relations with other countries and opposed “unilateral and illegal” sanctions. China remains the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude, accounting for roughly 4% of its oil imports.
Russia also criticized U.S. actions, including recent strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking and an attempt to intercept a third tanker. Russian and Venezuelan officials expressed “deep concern” over the escalation of U.S. operations in the Caribbean, warning that they could threaten regional stability and international shipping.
Meanwhile, the supertanker Bella 1, targeted by the U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday, was reported drifting northeast of Bermuda. U.S. authorities allege that Venezuela under Maduro is using oil revenues to fund “drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping,” although more than 100 deaths in recent strikes reportedly included civilian fishermen.
Maduro, in response, accused Washington of seeking regime change and engaging in “international piracy.” In a televised address, he stated that Trump “would be better off focusing on domestic issues” rather than threatening Caracas, reaffirming Venezuela’s resistance to foreign pressure.
