US Forces Intercept Vessel Near Venezuela – Tanker Blockade
- The United States is interdicting and seizing a vessel off the coast of Venezuela in international waters, according to three US officials who spoke to Reuters on Saturday.
- This marks the second such seizure in recent weeks, coinciding with a substantial US military build-up in the region.
- venezuela's oil ministry and state oil company PDVSA have not yet responded to requests for comment.
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US Interdicts Venezuelan Oil Tanker Amidst Blockade
Table of Contents
What Happened?
The United States is interdicting and seizing a vessel off the coast of Venezuela in international waters, according to three US officials who spoke to Reuters on Saturday. This action follows President Donald Trump‘s announcement earlier in the week of a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
This marks the second such seizure in recent weeks, coinciding with a substantial US military build-up in the region. The operation is being led by the Coast Guard, though the Pentagon and White House have yet to provide official comment.
venezuela’s oil ministry and state oil company PDVSA have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The Blockade and its Implementation
President Trump declared a “TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela” on Tuesday. While the formal declaration is broad, the practical implementation has been through interdiction and seizure of vessels suspected of violating sanctions.
since the first seizure last week, an effective embargo has been in place.Loaded vessels carrying millions of barrels of oil have remained in Venezuelan waters, avoiding the risk of seizure. This has already led to a sharp decline in Venezuelan crude exports.