State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is demanding that the U.S. "ensure humane and dignified treatment” of Russian citizens on board the Marinera oil tanker after its seizure, according to TASS, the Russian news agency.

The ministry also said there should be no obstruction of the return of Russian citizens to their homeland and said it is closely monitoring the situation, according to TASS.

"Taking into account the information received about the presence of Russian citizens among the crew, we demand that the American side ensure humane and dignified treatment of them and strictly observe their rights and interests," the ministry said, according to TASS.

-ABC News' Anna Bergeava

Mexico continues to send oil shipments to Cuba but has not increased the amount of oil going to the island nation, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday.

"No more oil is being sent than what has historically been sent. There isn't any special shipment. For many years, oil has been sent to Cuba for different reasons—some are contracts, others are humanitarian aid," Sheinbaum said at a press conference Wednesday, according to Reuters.

-ABC News' Anne Laurent

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the Venezuelan government is in control, “no one else,” during a press conference Tuesday.

"There is no external agent governing Venezuela. It is Venezuela," she said in Spanish in the speech that was broadcast on state TV.

"Venezuela does not surrender. Venezuela is in active resistance. Venezuelans are a noble people, a peaceful people seeking their own path. Venezuela has shown the world what we are made of, that we have grown in strength, that we have grown spiritually to face challenges, aggression, and threats," she added.

"Personally, they threaten me, I say it, my destiny is not decided by them, it is decided only by God. That is my answer," Rodriguez said.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

The United Kingdom provided the U.S. with enabling support to interdict the Bella 1 -- at the request of the U.S., according to the United Kingdom.

"UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, to U.S. military assets interdicting the Bella 1 in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap following a U.S. request for assistance. RFA Tideforce provided support for U.S. forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, while the RAF provided surveillance support from the air," the U.K. said in a statement.

The vessel is part of the "Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion," U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said in a statement.

"Today our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful U.S. interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia. This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting," Healey said.

"The U.S. is the UK’s closest defence and security partner. The depth of our defence relationship with the U.S. is an essential part of our security, and today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice," Healey said.