Venezuela Accuses Trinidad of Helping US "Steal" Oil Tanker

Venezuela has accused Trinidad and Tobago of helping the United States seize an oil tanker. The incident is raising tensions in the Caribbean region. The government of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro made the accusation on Monday. It said Trinidad and Tobago participated in the "theft of Venezuelan oil." Venezuela claims the theft happened when U.S. forces took control of the tanker off its coast on December 10. The U.S. action is part of a four-month pressure campaign against Maduro's government by President Donald Trump. The seizure of the vessel, which was carrying Venezuelan oil, has caused diplomatic friction. Venezuela's statement called the U.S. operation an "assault on a vessel." It insists the tanker was transporting a "strategic Venezuelan product."