US interdicting, seizing vessel off Venezuelan coast

The U.S. is interdicting a vessel off Venezuela's coast, following President Trump's recent "blockade" on sanctioned oil tankers. This is the second tanker seizure in weeks and coincides with increased U.S. military activity in the region. Trump stated, "I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela."

Since the first seizure, Venezuela's crude exports have sharply declined. The shadow fleet of tankers, many of which are under U.S. sanctions, transports Venezuelan oil, risking punitive measures. Analysts predict that if the embargo remains, the loss of supply could raise oil prices significantly. Maduro claims the U.S. military buildup aims to overthrow his government and control Venezuela's oil reserves.