Core Viewpoint - The United States has intensified its actions against Venezuelan oil tankers, recently intercepting a sanctioned vessel near Venezuela's coast, which has drawn strong condemnation from the Venezuelan government, labeling it as "theft and hijacking" [1][3]. Group 1: U.S. Actions - On December 20, the U.S. Coast Guard, supported by the military, intercepted a tanker previously docked in Venezuela, marking the second seizure of a sanctioned vessel in ten days [1][3]. - This operation follows President Trump's announcement of a "complete and thorough blockade" against all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, with the U.S. Coast Guard leading the recent actions [4]. - The U.S. has deployed multiple warships in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela under the pretext of anti-drug operations, although no evidence has been provided to substantiate claims of drug trafficking [5]. Group 2: Venezuelan Response - Venezuelan Vice President and Oil Minister Rodriguez condemned the U.S. actions as "piracy" and a violation of international law, asserting that the U.S. attempts to impose a colonial model on Venezuela will ultimately fail [1][3]. - The Venezuelan government plans to appeal to the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral organizations to take appropriate actions against the U.S. [3]. - Venezuelan Foreign Minister Hill accused the U.S. of fabricating false news to justify the theft of Venezuela's oil, land, and mineral resources [3].

Group 1 - The U.S. confirmed the seizure of an oil tanker near Venezuela, marking the second such incident in recent times [1] - Venezuelan officials condemned the U.S. actions as "theft and hijacking" of private vessels carrying Venezuelan oil [1][5] - The U.S. Coast Guard, supported by the military, led the operation to seize the tanker, which had previously docked in Venezuela [3] Group 2 - President Trump ordered a "comprehensive and thorough blockade" on all tankers entering or leaving Venezuela that are under U.S. sanctions [3] - Venezuela's Vice President and Oil Minister, Rodriguez, stated that the U.S. actions violate international law and represent a colonialist approach [5] - As of September, the U.S. imported over 100,000 barrels of crude oil daily from Venezuela, ranking it as the tenth largest source of oil imports for the U.S. [5]