Vladimir Putin pledged Russia's unwavering support for Nicolás Maduro following the US seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, escalating tensions.This incident, part of the US's "Operation Southern Spear" and broader sanctions targeting Maduro's regime and oil shipments, significantly heightened Washington's pressure on Caracas.While Maduro condemned the seizure as "naval piracy" and vowed to challenge it internationally, António Guterres and the UN urged restraint to prevent further regional destabilization.