Carrie Conn

flying a false flag and is under a judicial seizure order.

The Pentagon and the U.S.

Coast Guard referred all inquiries to the White House, which has yet to comment.

President Trump said last week that he was ordering a total blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers coming and going from Venezuela.

On Saturday, U.S.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the U.S.

Coast Guard had boarded an oil tanker, which a White House official later said was flying a false Panamanian flag.

Carrie Conn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

Long lines at gas stations and water distribution centers are nothing new in the Venezuelan capital.

Residents queued up as usual in stores in Caracas.

After years of financial hardship, many are taking the latest moves by the Trump administration in stride.

Officials, however, flooded the airwaves.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez says Trump has made it clear the U.S.

We are not intimidated by your taunts and threats, he said.

Carrie Conn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

The bill allows Brazilians an exemption from taxes, raising the limit the poor and middle class can make to the equivalent of about 900 U.S.

dollars a month.

Previously, only those making less than about 500 dollars a month were exempt.

To make up the difference in lost income, the government will increase taxes on Brazil's top earners and their dividends.

Supporters say it's common sense legislation.