The votes follow a monthslong military campaign against alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly defeated two resolutions on Wednesday seeking to rein in President Donald Trump's aggression toward Venezuela, amid widespread speculation that the Republican will launch an attack on the South American oil state's territory.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday asked the United Nations to act to avoid bloodshed in Venezuela, while other countries expressed concerns about U.S. President Donald Trump's recent blockade announcement.

U.S. President Donald Trump's announced blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil could lead to shortages of food, fuel, and other basic goods.

Venezuela blockade: Venezuela’s government has ordered its Navy to escort ships carrying petroleum products from port, escalating the risk of a confrontation with the United States after President Trump ordered a “blockade” aimed at the country’s oil industry. Read more ›

President Donald Trump ramped up pressure on Venezuela on Tuesday by announcing that he is ordering a blockade of all “sanctioned oil tankers ” entering and leaving the South American country.

WASHINGTON (AP) — El presidente Donald Trump exigió el miércoles que Venezuela devuelva los activos que incautó a compañías petroleras de Estados Unidos hace años, justificando nuevamente su anuncio de un “bloqueo” contra los buques con crudo que viajan hacia o desde el país sudamericano y enfrentan sanciones estadounidenses.

U.S. crude futures opened a dollar higher in Asian trading on Thursday after President Donald Trump placed a blockade on tankers entering and leaving Venezuela and most exports from the country remained on hold.