United States forces intercepted this Saturday (20) a new sanctioned oil tanker that was sailing in international waters of the Caribbean Sea, close to the coast of Venezuela, according to American authorities. Reuters.
According to the agency, the operation to intercept the tanker was conducted by the United States Coast Guard. The action comes days after US President Donald Trump announced the total blockade against Venezuela.
Last week, United States forces had already intercepted another oil tanker near the coast of Venezuela, in an operation also conducted by the American Coast Guard. The crude oil transported by the vessel was confiscated by US authorities, which led other oil tankers to interrupt trips and keep ships anchored in Venezuelan waters, given the risk of further seizures.
Analysts interviewed by Reuters point out that Venezuela’s crude oil exports suffered a sharp drop after this first seizure.
This Friday (19), the Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio, stated that Washington will continue with maritime operations aimed at intercepting sanctioned oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela.
“There is nothing that can impede our ability to enforce United States laws regarding ships that are sanctioned,” he said.
The Venezuelan regime accuses the United States of using sanctions and military reinforcement as an instrument to destabilize the country and take control of its oil reserves.
