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US military has seized one oil tanker beyond Venezuelan coastWhich marks the latest increase in the targeting of President Donald Trump south american nation,
“we have just seized a tanker “Off the coast of Venezuela,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday, “really the largest seizure ever made. And other things are happening.”
The president did not provide additional details, but said the ship was sanctioned for “very good reasons”. When asked what would happen to the ship, he said, “I guess, we keep it.”
Caracas reacted to the seizure on Wednesday evening, calling it an “international act of theft.”
The Venezuelan government said in a statement, “Under these circumstances, the real causes of the long-running aggression against Venezuela have finally been revealed… This has always been about our natural resources, our oil, our energy, resources that belong exclusively to the Venezuelan people.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a video of the seizure on Twitter on Wednesday evening, calling the ship a “crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.”
“For several years, oil tankers have been sanctioned by the United States for their involvement in illegal oil shipping networks that support foreign terrorist organizations.” wrote,
“This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely – and our investigation with the Department of Homeland Security to stop the transportation of the seized oil continues.”
The DHS
“Knockout. If you threaten our nation, or break the law, there is no place on land or sea where we won’t find you. Thank you to the brave service members of @USCG, @ICEGOV, @FBI, @DeptofWar, and @TheJusticeDept,” the agency wrote,
Two unnamed officials told reuters He Operation Was conducted by the US Coast Guard. He did not provide the name of the ship or where exactly the operation took place.
the tanker was stopped approved by the US government, sources familiar with the matter said Bloomberg News. The seizure could make it more difficult for the oil-rich nation to trade, as shippers may be wary of handling their cargo. Most of Venezuela’s oil is sent to China.
After the maneuver was revealed, Oil prices increasedaccording to cnbcBrent crude futures rose 27 cents, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 21 cents,
White House and Pentagon spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Independent,
The naval operation comes as the Trump administration is stepping up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom it accuses of promoting illegal drug trafficking.
Since September, the Pentagon has launched nearly two dozen attacks on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, killing at least 87 people. At the same time, the US has amassed a fleet of warships near Venezuela, the largest naval build-up in the region in decades. And, in October, Republican President authorized the cia To conduct covert operations inside Venezuela.
“I think you’ll find him this is warTrump said last week. “And very soon we’re going to start doing it on the ground, too,” Trump said, referring to naval strikes.
Maduro has denied that his country is involved in the illegal drug trade and has accused the Trump administration of “The creation of a new eternal warHe also said that the real motivation behind Trump’s actions is to oust him from office and take control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. In response, he called on the country’s citizens to unite against US aggression and deployed troops, aircraft and ships to the coast.
The administration’s actions in the area have drawn a wave of criticism from Democratic lawmakers.
Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia described the Pentagon’s attacks in the Caribbean as illegal and warned that they risk dragging the conflict-weary nation into another foreign war. “The American people are not interested in Faltering in an illegal new war This will put the lives of our soldiers in danger,” he said in late November.
A handful of Republicans have also expressed opposition. Last week, the Kentucky senator rand paul Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth – who has faced intense scrutiny over the September 2 attack – was called to testify under oath about the boat attacks.
He said, “I think that if Congress had any courage, it would not have allowed this administration to summarily execute people who are suspected of some crime.” Independent,
However, many Republicans are standing with the administration. In November, Senator Markway Mullin of Oklahoma said that Trump was “defending the United States of America.” being very active,
Public opinion on Trump’s military maneuvers is mixed. A majority of Americans, 53 percent, as of November, approve of using military force to attack ships suspected of drug smuggling into the US. CBS News Survey. At the same time, 70 percent He said he would oppose military action in Venezuela.