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

The bill — introduced, debated and approved within two days in the National Assembly — follows this month’s seizures by U.S. forces of two tankers carrying Venezuelan oil in international waters. The seizures are the latest strategy in U.S. President Donald Trump’s four-month pressure campaign on Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro.

The tankers are part of what the Trump administration has said is a fleet Venezuela uses to evade U.S. economic sanctions.

The unicameral assembly, which is controlled by Venezuela’s ruling party, did not publish drafts on Tuesday nor the final version of the measure. But as read on the floor, the bill calls for fines and prison sentences of up to 20 years for anyone who promotes, requests, supports, finances or participates in “acts of piracy, blockades or other international illegal acts” against commercial entities operating with the South American country.

Venezuela’s political opposition, including Nobel Peace laureate María Corina Machado, has expressed support for Trump’s Venezuela policy, including the seizure of tankers.

The bill, which now awaits Maduro’s signature, also instructs the executive branch to come up with “incentives and mechanisms for economic, commercial and other protections” for national or foreign entities doing business with Venezuela in the event of piracy activities, a maritime blockade or other unlawful acts.

The U.S. Coast Guard on Saturday seized a Panama-flagged vessel called Centuries that officials said was part of the fleet moving sanctioned cargo. With assistance from the U.S. Navy, it seized a rogue tanker called Skipper on Dec. 10. That ship was registered in Panama.

Trump, after that first seizure, said the U.S. would carry out a “blockade” of Venezuela. He has repeatedly said that Maduro’s days in power are numbered.

“If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’ll ever be able to play tough,” Trump said of Maduro Monday as he took a break from his Florida vacation to announce plans for the Navy to build a new, large warship.

___

Republished with permission of The Associated Press.

Police have arrested a man they say vandalized a menorah outside the downtown office of Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Dariel Fernandez.

The act, caught on surveillance video, has been condemned by local and international leaders as a hate-fueled attack on religious expression.

In the video, viewable below, the suspect can be seen walking up to the menorah and throwing it to the ground, resulting in several of the bulbs that represent candles to break off the Hannukah candelabrum, which appears to be about 7 to 8 feet tall. The man then dismantles a small fence that surrounded the menorah before fleeing.

Extended footage Fernandez’s office released shows another man ride up to the fallen menorah on a motorized scooter, stand it back up and clear the blubs from the sidewalk before riding away.

According to Fernandez, the menorah had been installed just days earlier as part of his office’s first-ever Hanukkah lighting ceremony, which he said will be an annual tradition.

Fernandez said law enforcement moved quickly.

“I am grateful to law enforcement for their swift response,” he said in a statement. “The individual responsible has been identified, taken into custody, and formally charged.”

Fernandez also highlighted the benevolent actions of the bystander who intervened after the vandalism.

“One bad actor tried to destroy the menorah, but a good Samaritan from our community came back and restored it,” he said. “That is the message — the only way to fight darkness is with light.”

The menorah was repaired, re-erected and relit shortly after the arrest.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis called the incident more than simple property damage.

“This was not just vandalism, it was an act of hate,” she said in a statement. “It targeted a sacred symbol and the values of faith, resilience and unity that Hanukkah represents. Hate has no home in Miami-Dade County.”

International condemnation also followed. In a statement, the Consulate General of Israel in Miami said it “unequivocally condemns the vandalism of the menorah … and any act that targets Jewish symbols, faith, or community life.” The Consulate also praising local law enforcement and Fernandez for standing against antisemitism.

Police have yet to publicly identify the suspect, who is likely to face charges of criminal mischief for property damage, the punishment for which varies from misdemeanor to felony depending on the extent of the damage.

If prosecutors pursue a hate-crime enhancement, penalties could increase, potentially exposing the suspect to a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.