President Trump is ratcheting up pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, targeting his financial lifeline by seizing a massive tanker carrying crude oil off the coast of Venezuela and ramping up sanctions on the regime.

The capture of a sanctioned ship has fueled fears of a wider conflict with Venezuela while also raising the prospect of an American blockade seeking to choke off Maduro's crucial energy export revenue. While the White House declined on Thursday to discuss next steps, the seizure is likely to have an immediate impact on Venezuela's oil exports.

"Just like blowing-up drug boats is inevitably going to make traffickers think twice before setting sail, the tanker seizure could make the regime more cautious about sending oil shipments, at least ones using sanction

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