China and Russia have expressed support for Venezuela as it confronts a US blockade of sanctioned oil tankers, while Donald Trump continues to ramp up his pressure campaign on the South American country’s president, Nicolás Maduro.

Axar.az, citing The Guardian, reports that President Donald Trump renewed calls for Maduro to step down, warning of harsher consequences while saying the US would keep or sell seized oil.

China and Russia condemned Washington’s actions as violations of international law and reaffirmed solidarity with Caracas.

The standoff has disrupted Venezuelan oil exports, leaving millions of barrels stranded at sea and raising fears of escalation in the Caribbean.