The US has seized two ships carrying oil from Venezuela.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
US President Donald Trump has warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down.
At a press conference held on Monday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump said that it would be wise for Maduro to step down.
A reporter asked Trump if the goal was to overthrow Maduro. Trump replied, “That may be the case, but that’s his decision.” Trump added, “If he tries to play, it will be the last time.” Relations between Venezuela and the United States have been tense lately. The United States has seized two ships carrying oil from Venezuela in the past few weeks.
So far, it has seized 4 million barrels of oil from Venezuela.
The U.S. Coast Guard has also said that it is tracking a third oil tanker in the “Dark Fleet” that is said to be used to evade sanctions on Venezuela.
Trump has said that the United States will keep the ships and the oil, sell them if necessary, or use them for strategic storage.
In addition, the US military has been targeting small boats passing through Venezuela.
A large number of people have lost their lives when the US attacked boats passing through Venezuela suspected of carrying drugs.
Maduro's response
Venezuela has been calling the US move to seize oil-carrying ships robbery.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has suggested that US President Donald Trump focus on his own country's problems rather than interfering elsewhere. 'It would be better if he focused on the economic and social issues of his own country. The world would have called him good if he could pay attention to his own country's affairs,' Maduro said.
The US and its allies have imposed an economic embargo on Venezuela. Venezuela has requested a meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the issue. Russia and China have supported Venezuela's proposal.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that the US action could seriously affect regional stability and international shipping. China also called the US move a violation of international law and the UN Charter.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil read a letter to UN member states. He warned that the US blockade would affect global oil and energy supplies.
Venezuela, while committed to peace, was ready to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and natural resources, he said.
