US Military Takes Major Action Against Venezuela, Imposes Naval Blockade; Another Oil Tanker Seized
The ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela show no signs of easing. Trump is continuously increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. US forces are constantly operating near the Venezuelan coast. For the second time in less than two weeks, US forces have seized an oil tanker near the Venezuelan coast.
In fact, amid Trump’s increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, US forces seized another tanker near the Venezuelan coast on Saturday.
Homeland Security Secretary Confirms Action
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the action on the social media platform X. In a post on X, she wrote that the United States will continue to pursue the illegal movement of sanctioned oil used to finance narco-terrorism in the region. The operation was conducted by the US Coast Guard with support from the Pentagon and is part of a broader effort to disrupt Venezuelan oil exports and pressure Maduro to step down.
Three officials who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity did not disclose the location of the operation but said the Coast Guard was leading the mission. Two officials also confirmed the operation. One official said it was a consensual boarding, in which the tanker stopped voluntarily and allowed US forces to board.
According to Al Jazeera, a de facto blockade has been in effect since the US military seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast last week, with loaded vessels carrying millions of barrels of oil remaining anchored in Venezuelan waters rather than risking seizure.
Venezuelan crude oil exports have plummeted since the first seizure. However, while many ships carrying oil from Venezuela are subject to sanctions, other ships bringing oil and crude oil to Venezuela from Iran and Russia are exempt from sanctions.