Turin, Dec. 23 (LaPresse) – Growing pressure from the United States represents a ‘test’ for Venezuela to free itself from oil and become “stronger as an economy.” This was stated by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as quoted by local media. Maduro, who calls the US seizure of two ships carrying Venezuelan oil “state piracy,” explained that the test is “what Venezuela needs” to “make the economic leap” and become independent from oil.