Venezuela's Maduro vows to 'smash teeth' of U.S. empire as America seizes oil tanker off Venezuelan coast, escalating diplomatic crisis between nations.

With the economy in ruins, and U.S. military forces off the coast, uncertainty and rumors mark life in Venezuela, dampening the yuletide mood.

Now, President Donald Trump wants Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro out of power. Maduro’s “days are numbered,” Trump told Politico in an interview released on Dec. 9. His Administration considers Maduro the head of a government-sponsored cocaine smuggling syndicate.

Analysts tell Fox News Digital the next phase of Venezuela’s crisis hinges on Trump’s National Security Strategy and whether Washington pushes Maduro toward negotiation.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on three nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The move is the latest by President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Venezuela to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.

The US sanctioned three of Nicolas Maduro’s nephews as well as six oil tankers, ramping up pressure on the Venezuelan president a day after seizing a vessel carrying crude off the country’s coast.

President Donald Trump has escalated threats against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in recent weeks, and reports now say the Trump administration is preparing for the days after a potential Maduro overthrow.

The Venezuelan defense minister has vowed to respond to U.S. "sovereignty" threats as pressure on Caracas mounts.