France:The seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast this week comes after long-standing tensions between Washington and Caracas, starting with US sanctions in 2006 and most recently strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats.

2006: First sanctionsRelations between Washington and Venezuela plummet after the arrival in power of President Hugo Chavez, Latin America's leftist firebrand.

In 2006, the United States under President George W. Bush bans the sale of weapons and US-made military equipment to Venezuela, citing a lack of cooperation in the fight against terrorism.By 2010, the two countries no longer have ambassadors in each other's capitals.

2014: Accusations of human rights violations After Chavez dies in 2013 and his handpicked successor Nicolas Maduro takes over, the US administration of Barack Obama imposes, in late 2014 and early 2015, sanctions on several top Venezuelan officials, freezing their US assets and banning visas.

Washington accuses Venezuela of rights breaches in its violent crackdown on demonstrations against Maduro.

2017: Trump raises 'military option' The first adminstration of Donald Trump in 2017 slaps financial sanctions on several top officials, including members of the supreme court, for having undermined the powers of parliament. 

Source:Ndtv