New Delhi, Dec. 17 -- Trump escalates pressure on Maduro with unprecedented oil tanker seizures and complete blockade of Venezuelan exports as military deployment intensifies in Caribbean standoff.

In a stark warning signaling continued escalation, US President Donald Trump declared that United States military activity surrounding Venezuela will intensify substantially until the Maduro regime returns what Trump characterizes as 'stolen' American oil and other assets seized from the United States.

"Venezuela is currently completely surrounded by the largest fleet organized in South American history, a U.S. fleet," Trump declared in his statement to supporters on December 16th. "This fleet will become even larger, and they will face shock...