US forces seize Venezuela-linked Russian oil tanker
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Trump links Greenland, Venezuela
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The lightning U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro can be seen as both a benefit and a burden for Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces botched an attempt to capture Ukraine’s capital and topple its leader at the start of Moscow's invasion nearly four years ago.
The Bella 1 had been tailed by a US Coast Guard cutter across the Atlantic Ocean for almost two weeks when the ship’s crew employed a novel tactic to evade the US military: painting a Russian flag on its hull.
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Trump’s former Russia adviser says Russia offered US free rein in Venezuela in exchange for Ukraine
Russian officials suggested in 2019 that the Kremlin might reduce support for Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela in exchange for a free hand in Ukraine.
A network of websites known as “Portal Kombat” is spreading messages about U.S. military hardware, according to tracking firms.
Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro's capture by the United States has deprived Vladimir Putin of an ally and could increase U.S. "oil clout", but Moscow is eying potential gains from President Donald Trump's division of the world into spheres of influence.
After a weekslong chase across the Atlantic, the U.S. took over the Bella 1 in an operation that defied Russian warnings.
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was captured in an overnight attack, some Democrats and a Republican are pushing to block future U.S. strikes.
Russian air defenses may not have been at their best in Venezuela, but the West may find the results against the US and in other wars encouraging.
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