US Navy Intercepts Oil Tanker Near Venezuelan Coast

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The United States intercepted another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. This pre-dawn operation happened on December 20. It marks the second such seizure in just two weeks. American officials state the action is part of a pressure campaign against the Caracas government.

Details of the Venezuela Oil Tanker Seizure

U.S. Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem announced the interdiction. She made the statement in a post on social media platform X. The post included dramatic aerial video footage.The video showed a helicopter hovering above a large tanker at sea. The operation involved the U.S. Coast Guard. It also had support from the Department of Defense.Noem stated the tanker was last docked in Venezuela. She did not provide the vessel’s name or identification details. The U.S. government’s goal is to stop illicit oil movements.According to reports from The New York Times, the vessel was Panamanian-flagged. It was carrying Venezuelan oil when intercepted. The seizure occurred in Caribbean waters.This follows a similar incident on December 10. In that case, U.S. forces seized another large oil tanker. Officials linked that ship to carrying sanctioned oil to Iran.President Donald Trump recently announced a blockade policy. The policy targets all sanctioned oil vessels heading to or from Venezuela. Saturday’s action appears to enforce this new stance.The Pentagon redirected questions to the White House. The White House did not immediately comment on the operation. The legal basis for the interdiction stems from U.S. sanctions programs.

U.S. Military Buildup and Regional Tensions

A significant U.S. military deployment is now in the Caribbean. The official reason given is to combat drug trafficking. The focus, however, is intensely on Venezuela.There are currently 11 U.S. warships in the region. The fleet includes the world’s largest aircraft carrier. It also features several destroyers and cruisers.Additional U.S. Coast Guard vessels are also deployed. The Coast Guard declined to give specific numbers. They cited operational security concerns.Venezuela’s defense minister responded with defiance. Vladimir Padrino Lopez spoke at a public event in Caracas. He made no direct mention of this latest tanker seizure.He stated Venezuela is “waging a battle against lies and interference.” He added that military threats will not intimidate the nation. The comments were broadcast on state television.The Caracas government views the U.S. operations as an illegal campaign. They believe the goal is to oust President Nicolas Maduro. They also accuse Washington of wanting to steal Venezuelan oil.The U.S. has conducted air strikes on alleged drug boats since September. These strikes have occurred in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Critics question their legality, noting over 100 people have been killed.The broader U.S. strategy applies maximum economic pressure. Sanctions aim to cut off the Maduro government’s revenue. Interdicting oil shipments is a key tactic in this plan.

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The recent Venezuela oil tanker seizure underscores escalating tensions. It demonstrates a hardened U.S. approach to enforcing sanctions. The situation in the Caribbean Sea remains a volatile flashpoint.

Disclaimer: This article is a reported summary based on information from multiple established news agency feeds. Events are fluid and details may be updated as official statements are released.

References: Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency feeds.