US covert team leader describes 'dangerous' mission to rescue Venezuelan opposition leader

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Coast Guard has seized a large Venezuelan oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in U.S. military operations in the region. This action is part of the Trump administration's ongoing pressure campaign against the Venezuelan government led by Nicolás Maduro.

The Trump administration has escalated its confrontation with Venezuela by seizing a sanctioned oil tanker named Skipper, which was en route to Cuba. This action is part of a broader strategy to increase pressure on President Nicolás Maduro's regime, which has faced ongoing criticism from U.S. officials for its governance and human rights record.

María Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning Venezuelan opposition leader, recently escaped her home country amid threats to her safety. Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, spoke with NBC News, affirming that Machado intends to return to Venezuela despite the risks involved. This statement comes after Machado's perilous escape, which included a dangerous mission to extract her from hiding in Venezuela.

The Trump administration has seized a Venezuelan oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in U.S. military operations in the region. This action reflects ongoing pressure from the U.S. government on the Maduro regime, which has been struggling with economic collapse and international sanctions.

The Cuban foreign ministry has condemned the U.S. military's seizure of the Skipper oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, labeling the act as 'piracy' and 'maritime terrorism.' This operation, which reportedly involved the capture of 1.1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil, is seen as a violation of international law and a direct attack on Cuba's economic interests, particularly its access to Venezuelan hydrocarbons.

In Venezuela, rampant rumors circulate amid a backdrop of economic turmoil and U.S. military presence off the coast, creating a climate of uncertainty as the holiday season approaches. Reports suggest that these rumors have intensified following recent U.S. military actions, including the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, which has heightened tensions between the two nations.

Federal transportation officials are reportedly sharing the names of all U.S. airport travelers with ICE, raising concerns about privacy and the implications for travelers. This data sharing has led to questions about the number of arrests made as a result, highlighting a potential overreach in surveillance practices.

The U.S. military has seized a Venezuelan oil tanker, a move confirmed by President Donald Trump, which marks a significant escalation in military operations in the region. This action follows months of U.S. claims that military efforts were primarily focused on combating drug trafficking in the Caribbean.