5 h. ago Venezuela oil exports reportedly fall sharply after US seizure of tanker

The seizure of the Skipper on Wednesday marked the first US capture of Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions were imposed in 2019Venezuelan oil exports have reportedly fallen sharply since the US seized a tanker this week and imposed fresh sanctions on shipping companies and vessels doing business with Caracas, according to shipping data, documents and maritime sources.The US seizure of the Skipper tanker off Venezuela’s coast on Wednesday was the first US capture of Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions were imposed in 2019 and marked a sharp escalation in rising tensions between the Trump administration and the government of Nicolás Maduro. Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago Federal transportation officials reportedly sharing names of all US airport travelers with ICE

The report, based on documents obtained by the New York Times, says it’s unclear how many arrests have been made due to this data sharingThe admiral in charge of US military forces in Latin America will retire two years early, AP reports, amid rising tensions with Venezuela that include Wednesday’s seizure of an oil tanker and more than 20 deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats.Three US officials and two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Admiral Alvin Holsey was pushed out by defense secretary Pete Hegseth. Two officials said Hegseth had grown frustrated with Southern Command as he sought to flex US military operations and planning in the region. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago The Guardian view on Trump and Venezuela: a return to seeking regime change | Editorial

The US is ramping up the pressure on Nicolás Maduro with a tanker seizure and expanded sanctions following threats and boat strikesEarly in his first term, Donald Trump mooted a “military option” for Venezuela to dislodge its president, Nicolás Maduro. Reports suggest that he eagerly discussed the prospect of an invasion behind closed doors. Advisers eventually talked him down. Instead, the US pursued a “maximum pressure” strategy of sanctions and threats.But Mr Maduro is still in place. And Mr Trump’s attempts to remove him are ramping up again. The US has amassed its largest military presence in the Caribbean since the 1989 invasion of Panama. It has carried out more than 20 shocking strikes on alleged drug boats. Mr Trump reportedly delivered an ultimatum late last month, telling the Venezuelan leader that he could have safe passage from his country if he left immediately. There was already a $50m bounty on his head. This week came expanded sanctions and the seizure of a tanker.D...

Politics

16 h. ago Democrats release more photos from Jeffrey Epstein estate as congressman says new batch ‘raises even more questions’ – live

Release includes photos of Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Richard Branson as top Democrat says images raise questions about financier’s relationship with high-profile figuresThe admiral in charge of US military forces in Latin America will retire two years early, AP reports, amid rising tensions with Venezuela that include Wednesday’s seizure of an oil tanker and more than 20 deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats.Three US officials and two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Admiral Alvin Holsey was pushed out by defense secretary Pete Hegseth. Two officials said Hegseth had grown frustrated with Southern Command as he sought to flex US military operations and planning in the region. Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago Democrats publish more photos from Jeffrey Epstein estate, including of Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and former prince Andrew – live

House oversight committee publishes 19 photos from 95,000 they have received from the disgraced financier’s estate todayThe admiral in charge of US military forces in Latin America will retire two years early, AP reports, amid rising tensions with Venezuela that include Wednesday’s seizure of an oil tanker and more than 20 deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats.Three US officials and two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Admiral Alvin Holsey was pushed out by defense secretary Pete Hegseth. Two officials said Hegseth had grown frustrated with Southern Command as he sought to flex US military operations and planning in the region. Continue reading...

Politics

28 h. ago Why is Trump going after Venezuela? His administration has so far floated these three reasons for its pressure campaign

Trump said that “other things are happening” in addition to the U.S. military’s seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker

Politics

31 h. ago Trump expands Venezuela sanctions as Maduro decries new ‘era of piracy’

Six more oil supertankers added to sanctions list, as well as members of Maduro’s extended family, amid rising tensions following tanker seizureDonald Trump has exerted more pressure on Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, expanding sanctions and issuing fresh threats to strike land targets in Venezuela, as the South American dictator accused the US president of ushering in a new “era of criminal naval piracy” in the Caribbean.Late on Thursday, the US imposed curbs on three nephews of Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, as well as six crude oil supertankers and the shipping companies linked to them. The treasury department alleged the vessels “engaged in deceptive and unsafe shipping practices and continue to provide financial resources that fuel Maduro’s corrupt narco-terrorist regime”. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago US seizure of rogue oil tanker off Venezuela signals new crackdown on shadow fleet

The recent seizure of an oil tanker known as Skipper by the U.S. off the coast of Venezuela marks a dramatic escalation of President Donald Trump’s campaign to choke off Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s access to oil revenues

Events

38 h. ago Noem links the seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela to US antidrug efforts

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has linked the seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela to the Trump administration's counterdrug efforts

Events

40 h. ago Noem defends seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker and gets combative with Democrats during Congressional hearing: Live updates

Noem’s testimony comes a day after the US escalated tensions with Venezuela by seizing an oil tanker off the country’s coast

Politics

41 h. ago US lawmakers condemn seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker: ‘Trump is sleepwalking us into a war’

Unease grows in Washington, including among some Republicans, over Trump administration’s escalating military posture in the CaribbeanUS politics live – latest updatesSenior Democratic lawmakers and at least one Republican have condemned Wednesday’s seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker off the nation’s coast, with one saying Donald Trump is “sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela”.There is growing, at least somewhat bipartisan unease in Washington over the administration’s escalating military posture in the region. Trump has accused Venezuela of facilitating drug trafficking, and increased the US military presence in the Caribbean to a level not seen in decades. The administration has also conducted a campaign of bombings of alleged drug boats, killing more than 80 people so far. Continue reading...

Events

46 h. ago Will the US go to war with Venezuela? Trump ramps up attacks with seizure of oil tanker

Maduro continues to call for dialogue but has warned he will stand against the ‘aggressions of imperialism’ if needed

Events

56 h. ago Venezuela calls Trump admin’s seizure of tanker ‘an act of international piracy’ and claims its being targeted for oil

“Largest one ever seized actually,” Trump said.

Events

58 h. ago Video shows moment US seizes Venezuelan oil tanker, Trump administration says

The Trump administration has released video of what it says is the seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela following months of US military buildup around the region.

Politics

58 h. ago Trump admin releases video of US seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker amid buildup of forces in region: Live updates

Trump announced the seized tanker Wednesday, marking the latest move amid growing tensions between the two countries

Politics

62 h. ago ‘US forces seize oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast’ as Trump makes most daring move against Maduro yet after boat strikes

US forces have seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, sources say. This marks a major escalation in tensions between the nations - and could suggest Trump's sights are set further than just the drug smugglers. The seizure, reported Bloomberg citing well-placed sources, could slow Venezuela's vital oil exports. Other shippers will...

Events

3 w. ago Iran confirms seizure of tanker carrying ‘unauthorised cargo’ in Strait of Hormuz

Ship, sailing from Sharjah to Singapore, is reportedly carrying nearly 30,000 tonnes of petrochemical products

Transport