Washington, Dec 21: The United States seized a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, carrying out a “blockade” ordered by President Donald Trump on Saturday.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the interception of the vessel in a post on X that the US coastguard apprehended the vessel with support from the Pentagon.
“The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region,” she wrote.
“We will find you, and we will stop you,” she added.
The predawn operation marked the second time in recent weeks that the US has gone after a tanker near Venezuela, and it comes amid a large US military buildup in the region.
Worth mentioning, Trump, who has ordered to ramp up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, ruled on Tuesday a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the Venezuela.
