Seized oil tanker was hiding its location to evade sanctions, law enforcement

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.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the individual responsible for a recent attack in Syria was killed by U.S. partner forces, although further details were not disclosed. This statement comes amid ongoing military operations in the region and reflects the U.S. commitment to countering threats in Syria.

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.

A Ukrainian drone attack in southwestern Russia resulted in the deaths of two individuals, while parts of Ukraine experienced power outages due to ongoing Russian assaults on energy infrastructure. This incident highlights the escalating violence as U.S.-led peace talks continue in an effort to resolve the conflict.

Belarus has released a Nobel Prize laureate and other prominent political prisoners as the United States lifts sanctions against the country. This move signals a potential thaw in relations between Washington and Minsk, with U.S. officials expressing a desire to normalize diplomatic ties.