• Trump states it would be "smart" for Maduro to resign amid U.S. military actions.
• The U.S. pursues a third oil tanker as part of its blockade against Venezuela.
• Russia expresses full support for Maduro's government despite U.S. threats.
• Critics raise concerns over legality of U.S. military actions, which have resulted in numerous casualties.
• Maduro rebuts Trump’s threats, urging focus on U.S. domestic issues instead.

U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should consider stepping down, stating, "It would be smart for him to do that," as U.S. military actions intensify against Venezuela's oil resources. Trump's statements followed a series of military operations against Venezuelan vessels accused of drug trafficking, resulting in over 100 casualties, according to reports. "If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it'll be the last time he's ever able to play tough," Trump added during a press conference in Florida, as tensions escalate in the region, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The U.S. Coast Guard is currently pursuing a third oil tanker in what has been described as a "dark fleet" used by Venezuela to circumvent U.S. sanctions. Trump indicated that the U.S. might keep, sell, or utilize the seized oil to replenish strategic reserves, asserting, "We’re keeping it. We’re keeping the ships also," according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

In response to Trump’s ultimatum, Maduro claimed that the U.S. president would be better off addressing domestic economic and social issues rather than making threats against Caracas. He said, "He would be better off in his own country on economic and social issues," during a speech broadcast on Venezuelan television. Maduro also accused the U.S. of "international piracy" due to the seizure of Venezuelan vessels, highlighting the ongoing crisis ahead of a U.N. Security Council meeting to address the situation, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Amid rising tensions, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov confirmed the Kremlin's "full support" for Maduro’s government, condemning U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and their implications for international shipping. Lavrov and his Venezuelan counterpart, Yvan Gil, expressed mutual concern over U.S. "aggressions," detailing their support for Caracas in a recent conversation, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.