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Putin Expresses Support for Maduro Following US Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Tanker

2025-12-11

The BareStory

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Thursday, expressing his support for the government in Caracas. The call occurred one day after the United States seized a U.S.-sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker off the nation's coast.

A Kremlin statement said Putin's support was offered amid what it described as "growing external pressure." The two leaders also reportedly discussed advancing their strategic partnership and joint energy projects. The Venezuelan government condemned the tanker seizure, calling it a "violation of sovereignty" and a "hostile act."

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the seizure was conducted by federal agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Coast Guard, under a federal warrant for sanctions violations. President Donald Trump also publicly acknowledged the operation. In response to the situation, an unnamed lawmaker claimed the U.S. administration is "sleepwalking" into war.

Russia and Venezuela have maintained a close relationship for over two decades, with cooperation centered on defense and energy. According to the U.S. Congressional Research Service, the partnership has been described as durable and largely unaffected by external pressure or international sanctions.

Left Perspective

  • The seizure is viewed as a violation of national sovereignty.
  • The action is part of a pattern of external pressure.
  • The two nations are committed to their strategic partnership.

Right Perspective

  • The tanker seizure was a legal enforcement action.
  • The operation was publicly acknowledged by the administration.
  • The administration’s approach has raised internal concerns.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• A lawmaker’s warning suggests current U.S. policy could escalate into military conflict, creating a potential risk to the nation's safety and service members.

• The reinforced strategic partnership between Russia and Venezuela on energy could create long-term foreign policy and economic challenges for the United States.

• The seizure shows that federal agencies are being used to enforce international sanctions, a direct implementation of U.S. foreign policy affecting other nations.

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