Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:24pm on 24 Dec 2025,Wednesday International
Venezuela accused the United States of “extortion” at an emergency UN Security Council meeting after Washington seized two Venezuelan oil tankers this month. Venezuela’s UN envoy Samuel Moncada said the action was piracy and illegal. The US said it is also tracking a third tanker. President Donald Trump earlier ordered a naval blockade on sanctioned oil ships linked to the Maduro government. He accused President Nicolas Maduro of leading drug groups. The US said it may keep or sell the seized oil and vessels. Russia and China criticised the US move and urged it to stop. The US said the actions target drug trafficking in the region. (PC: BBC)
