US seizes Russian-flagged tanker carrying Venezuelan oil in Atlantic, Moscow responds

Washington: The United States has seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela in the Atlantic Ocean, including one sailing under the Russian flag, as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to control energy flows in the Americas and pressure Caracas to realign politically. The move marks a sharp escalation in Washington’s strategy toward Venezuela, coming days after a dramatic US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.