The U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted and seized a sanctioned vessel in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela, marking the second such action this month, according to U.S. officials.
Coast Guard Operation Confirmed
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the interdiction took place in international waters with support from the Department of Defense. The vessel, an oil tanker, had most recently docked in Venezuela before it was seized.
Targeting Sanctioned Oil Trade
Noem said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the illicit movement of sanctioned oil, which U.S. officials say is used to fund criminal and extremist activity in the region. Earlier this month, U.S. forces seized another tanker linked to Venezuela in a similar operation.
Rising Pressure on Venezuela
The latest seizure comes as President Donald Trump has threatened a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, increasing pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s government. Maduro has rejected the threats, saying Venezuela will continue trading oil and will not submit to foreign pressure.
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