Venezuela Criminalizes Tanker Seizures Amid Trump's Pressure Campaign

• Venezuela's parliament approved a law criminalizing acts hindering navigation and commerce, specifically targeting tanker seizures.
• The new measure imposes fines and up to 20 years in prison for those involved in "acts of piracy, blockades or other international illegal acts" against Venezuelan commerce.
• This law follows recent U.S. seizures of two Venezuelan oil tankers, Centuries and Skipper, in international waters as part of Trump's pressure campaign.
• The bill, awaiting President Maduro's signature, also mandates protections for entities doing business with Venezuela against such unlawful acts.
• Venezuela's political opposition, including María Corina Machado, has expressed support for Trump's policy and the tanker seizures.

Why It Matters: Venezuela retaliates against U.S. tanker seizures with a new law, escalating tensions.