↑ Venezuela Venezuela Oil Tanker Seized by U.S. Was Part of Effort to Finance Cuba - Firms with ties to Cuba are getting a larger share of Venezuelan oil exports, as the island’s security agents boost President Nicolás Maduro’s defenses.Behind the Venezuelan Opposition Leader’s Daring Escape to Oslo - An American firm with experience in special operations spirited María Corina Machado, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, out of the country in a secretive land, sea and air operation.Can Venezuela survive US targeting its oil tankers? - Venezuela has been sidestepping a US oil export embargo for years, selling crude at a discounted price mainly to China.Since Trump threatened an export tariff of 25 percent on any country buying Venezuelan oil, the country has had to slash Alvin Holsey, Admiral Who Oversaw Boat Strikes Off Venezuela’s Coast, Retires - The admiral had abruptly announced that he would step down as the head of the U.S. Southern Command. His departure leaves several issues about the strikes unanswered.A Seized Oil Tanker and the Big Business of Dark Fleet Smuggling - The U.S. seizure of a vessel off Venezuela is likely to squeeze the country’s government, but do little to counter the tankers that secretively move oil from sanctioned countries.Nobel Peace Prize Winner Machado Vows to End Maduro’s Rule in Venezuela - María Corina Machado reappeared on the global stage as the Trump administration ramped up its pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro.Oil Tanker U.S. Seized Off Venezuela Has Faked Its Location Before, Data Shows - The ship has frequently carried oil from countries under U.S. sanctions, and its tracking data shows multiple recent trips to Iran and Venezuela.María Corina Machado Appears in Norway After Missing Nobel Ceremony - María Corina Machado, who spent over a year in hiding in Venezuela, greeted supporters in Oslo, hours after her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in her name.Trump Says U.S. Seized Oil Tanker Off Venezuelan Coast - The seizure comes as the United States builds up its forces in the Caribbean as part of a pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro, the leader of Venezuela.EA-18G Growlers Deploying To Puerto Rico An Indicator Of What’s To Come - The Growlers are not a standard show of force, with the jets offering capabilities that would be key in any future strikes in the region.