Venezuela's parliament on Tuesday approved a measure that would criminalize a broad range of activities that can hinder navigation and commerce in the South American country, such as the seizure of oil tankers.

Tanker loading in Venezuela dwindled on Monday, following U.S. action against two more ships and as state-run energy company PDVSA struggles to recover from a cyberattack.

The comment was made during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, which Venezuela called over the U.S.' recent seizures of Venezuelan oil tankers.

Personnel from the United States boarded and seized a vessel off the coast of Venezuela on Saturday, according to an official familiar with the matter, as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on Caracas.

Venezuela's ruling-party controlled National Assembly unanimously approved a law on Tuesday that allows prison sentences of up to 20 years for anyone who promotes or finances what it describes as piracy or blockades.

Venezuela’s ambassador to the United Nations on Tuesday accused the United States of committing the “greatest extortion known in our history,” at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council

U.S. forces stopped a vessel off the coast of Venezuela for the second time in less than two weeks as President Trump continues to ramp up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced approval of a new law aimed at guaranteeing freedom of navigation and international trade.