Venezuela China and Russia vow support amid US blockade

China and Russia have expressed support for Venezuela as it confronts a US blockade of oil tankers under sanctions, while Donald Trump continues to increase pressure on the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro.

- Guardian staff

Amid reports of slowing activity at Venezuelan ports, the US president again called for Maduro to leave power on Monday, and reiterated that the US would keep or sell the oil it had seized off the coast of Venezuela in recent weeks.

Asked if the goal was to force Maduro from power, Trump told reporters: “I think it’d be smart for him to do that,” before adding, “if he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough.”

After Trump announced a “blockade” of all oil tankers under sanctions entering and leaving Venezuela last week, tanker loading at the country’s ports has slowed, with most ships moving oil cargoes only between domestic ports, according to the Reuters news agency.