Alexandar Sullivan:
U.S. authorities seized another vessel carrying Venezuelan oil over the weekend, intensifying pressure on Venezuela as the Trump administration expands its campaign against the government of President Donald Trump described as hostile to U.S. interests.
According to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, personnel boarded the Panamanian-flagged tanker early Saturday in international waters off Venezuela’s coast. The vessel, which was carrying Venezuelan oil and bound for Asia, was seized without resistance from the crew. While the ship was not under U.S. sanctions, the action followed Trump’s recent announcement of a “blockade” targeting sanctioned oil tankers moving in and out of the country.
The operation was led by the United States Coast Guard, with support from the U.S. military. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the seizure, posting video footage showing a helicopter hovering over the tanker and describing the move as “predawn action.” She said the United States would continue targeting oil shipments that help fund “narco-terrorism in the region.”
Venezuela sharply condemned the seizure. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez accused Washington of “theft and hijacking” and said Caracas would raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Iran expressed solidarity and offered cooperation against what he called U.S. “acts of piracy.”
The seizure follows a similar U.S. action on December 10, when authorities took control of the sanctioned oil tanker Skipper. Together with increased military deployments and threats of further action, the latest move underscores Washington’s strategy of targeting Venezuela’s oil sector — the backbone of its economy — as tensions between the two governments continue to escalate.
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