In recent weeks U.S. President Donald Trump has been ramping up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. Recently the U.S. threatened to seize a third Venezuelan linked oil tanker, a blatant violation of international law.

Trump is increasing pressure on the Venezuelan President while Russia and China have both shown support for the Venezuelan President. As Al Jazeera finds, ‘United States President Donald Trump has issued a new warning to Nicolas Maduro, saying “it would be smart” for the Venezuelan leader to step down, as Washington escalated a pressure campaign that drew sharp rebukes from Russia and China. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday, flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Trump suggested he was prepared to further ratchet up the tensions after four months of mounting pressure on Caracas … The US president also promised to keep the two ships and the nearly 4 million barrels of Venezuelan oil the coastguard has seized so far … The Venezuelan government called the US’s latest actions a “serious act of international piracy” … The escalating tensions preceded a United Nations Security Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday to address the growing crisis. The session was set at Venezuela’s request, which was backed by Russia and China. Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov on Monday expressed “deep concern” over the US’s Caribbean operations in a telephone conversation with Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil, warning of potential consequences for regional stability and international shipping. Moscow “reaffirmed its full support for and solidarity with the Venezuelan leadership and people in the current context,” according to a Russian foreign ministry statement. China also condemned the US’s latest moves as a “serious violation of international law”. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said Beijing “opposes any actions that violate the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and infringe upon the sovereignty and security of other countries”.“Venezuela has the right to develop independently and engage in a mutually beneficial cooperation with other nations. China understands and supports Venezuela’s stance in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests,” he added.’ (Al Jazeera.2025) As the authors note, President Trump warned Venezuelan President Maduro to step down, escalating US pressure by seizing ships and millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil, actions Caracas called “international piracy.” The crisis prompted a UN Security Council meeting requested by Venezuela and backed by Russia and China, as tensions continue to rise in the region. Russia and China strongly condemned the US moves, expressing support for Venezuela and warning they violate international law and threaten regional stability.

The Venezuelan National Assembly is pursuing actions to criminalize the U.S. seizures of oil tankers. As Regina Cano finds ‘Venezuela’s National Assembly has approved a measure that criminalizes the seizure of oil tankers. The bill — introduced, debated and approved within two days — makes illegal a broad range of activities that can hinder navigation and commerce in the South American country. The legislation comes after U.S. forces seized two tankers carrying Venezuelan oil in international waters in recent weeks … The unicameral assembly, which is controlled by Venezuela's ruling party, did not publish drafts on Tuesday nor the final version of the measure. But as read on the floor, the bill calls for fines and prison sentences of up to 20 years for anyone who promotes, requests, supports, finances or participates in “acts of piracy, blockades or other international illegal acts” against commercial entities operating with the South American country … The bill, which now awaits Maduro’s signature, also instructs the executive branch to come up with “incentives and mechanisms for economic, commercial and other protections” for national or foreign entities doing business with Venezuela in the event of piracy activities, a maritime blockade or other unlawful acts.’ (The Independent) As Cano asserts, Venezuela’s National Assembly swiftly sought approvals of a law criminalizing the seizure of oil tankers and other actions that disrupt maritime navigation and commerce, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison. The move follows the U.S. seizures of tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and targets what the bill describes as piracy, blockades, or other illegal international acts. The legislation, awaiting President Maduro’s signature, also calls for protections and incentives for companies doing business with Venezuela.

The increasing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela bring the two nations closer to outright military conflict. The recent emergency UN Security Council meetings have highlighted the need for mediation, with Russian and Chinese representatives condemning the actions of the U.S. government.