US Escalates Venezuela Pressure: Third Tanker Pursued, Maduro Vows Resistance

• The US Coast Guard is pursuing a third restricted Venezuelan oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, escalating tensions.
• This follows two recent seizures: the Panamanian-flagged Centriz and the tanker Skipper, both linked to Venezuela's "shadow fleet."
• President Donald Trump justifies the blockade by citing Venezuela's seizure of US company assets and alleged drug trafficking.
• Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned US actions as "piracy" and "psychological terror," vowing to accelerate his country's revolution.
• US policy faces internal criticism, with Senators Rand Paul calling it an "act of war" and Tim Kaine questioning congressional approval.

Why It Matters: US intensifies pressure on Venezuela with tanker seizures, sparking Maduro's defiance and internal US debate.