Venezuela Oil Tanker

The United States has seized an oil tanker that recently departed from Venezuela, marking the second such interception this month as Washington escalates enforcement against what it describes as illicit Venezuelan oil shipments.

The operation was carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard in international waters and follows President Donald Trump’s announcement this week that the U.S. would impose a maritime “blockade” on oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela in violation of American sanctions.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Coast Guard, said a specialized tactical boarding team intercepted the vessel during a pre-dawn operation …