Using U.S. forces to take control of a merchant ship is unusual and marks the Trump administration's latest push to increase pressure on Maduro, who has been charged with narcoterrorism.

Venezuela’s foreign affairs minister denounced the seizure, calling it a “blatant theft” and “an act of international piracy.”

The effort appears to be a new phase in the Trump administration’s push to oust President Nicolás Maduro.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem provided the Trump administration's most thorough explanation so far of why it took control of an oil tanker off Venezuela.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday the U.S. has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela and unveiled his gold card visa aimed at keeping foreign talent.