In a pretaped interview on state TV, Venezuelan​ President Nicolás Maduro evaded a question about a U.S. strike at a docking area that the Trump administration believed was used by drug cartels.

Russia filed a formal diplomatic request that the United States stop pursuing an oil tanker originally bound for Venezuela that has evaded US custody for almost two weeks, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

Washington has added pressure on Venezuela by imposing new sanctions on four China- and Hong Kong-based companies and four oil tankers accused of helping Caracas bypass oil restrictions. The move is part of US President Donald Trump's efforts to cut off Venezuela’s main source of revenue and weaken Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro,