The United States has stopped and seized a ship in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, three US officials told Reuters on Saturday, which comes just days after US President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not specify where exactly the operation took place, but added that the Coast Guard was leading the operation.
The Coast Guard and Pentagon referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This would be the second time in recent weeks that the Coast Guard, along with other agencies, has seized a tanker under sanctions.
– I am ordering a complete blockade of all oil tankers under sanctions entering or leaving Venezuela – Trump said on Tuesday.
Since the day U.S. forces seized a sanctioned tanker off the coast of Venezuela last week, an effective embargo has been in place, with ships carrying millions of barrels of oil remaining in Venezuelan waters to avoid risking seizure.
(Vijesti.ba)
