Move interpreted as escalation of US policy as Vladimir Putin ‘reaffirms’ support for South American dictatorUS politics live – latest updatesDiplomatic pressure on Nicolás Maduro has grown after the US interdicted a “dark fleet” tanker off the coast of Venezuela in a move that has been i nterpreted as an escalation of the Trump administration’s pressure on the South American dictator.The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, called Maduro on Thursday following the rare seizure to “reaffirm” Russia’s support for the current Venezuelan government, despite calls from the Trump administration, other countries in the region and Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for him to step down. Continue reading... ...read more read less