Venezuela has accused the United States of the “greatest extortion in history” as the Trump administration ramps up economic and military pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. During an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting Tuesday requested by Venezuela, Russia and China strongly condemned the Trump administration’s escalating attacks, including the seizure of Venezuelan oil vessels and the relentless bombings of alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz told the council the Trump administration would be imposing sanctions on Maduro “to the maximum extent,” as critics warn the United States is ushering in a regime change to appropriate Venezuela’s resources. Venezuela holds the world’s largest oil reserves.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s National Assembly has passed a law enacting harsh penalties for piracy in response to the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers.
This is Venezuelan Assemblymember Jorge Rodríguez.

Jorge Rodríguez: “In consideration, honorable deputies, those in favor of approving the second discussion of the bill for the protection of freedom of navigation and trade against piracy, blockade and other illicit international acts, please indicate with the usual signal. The law is approved unanimously.”