US forces boarded the Panama-flagged, sanctioned tanker Aquila II after tracking it from the Caribbean, targeting shadow-fleet oil transfers tied to Russia and evading sanctions.
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The US abducted Nicolas Maduro, leaving an evolving US strategy focused on oil, sanctions, continued military presence, and potential further operations amid Venezuelan leadership faultlines.
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A US naval blockade targeting sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela could severely disrupt Venezuela's oil-dependent economy and strain Maduro's regime.