"Zoom in: The U.S. has sanctioned Venezuela's oil shipments for years, but never before seized an oil-laden tanker of this size departing the country, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves. The vessel is known as a VLCC, or Very Large Crude Carrier, capable of transporting as much as 320,000 deadweight tons of crude, two sources with direct knowledge said. The exact details of the seizure, first reported by Bloomberg, are unclear and administration officials could not be reached for comment."
"The big picture: The tanker seizure also targets longtime Cuba - a close Venezuelan ally and long-time U.S. adversary. Havana sells Venezuelan crude on the black market, chiefly to Asian markets that ultimately feed China. The crude oil is handled by a grandson of Raul Castro, the former leader of Cuba and brother of longtime dictator Fidel Castro, the insiders say. In addition to splitting the profits with Venezuela, Cuba supplies intelligence services and agents who protect Maduro."
U.S. forces seized a Very Large Crude Carrier departing Venezuela as part of a campaign aimed at pressuring President Maduro and pursuing regime-change objectives. The VLCC can carry up to 320,000 deadweight tons of crude. U.S. officials say Venezuelan oil exports enrich Maduro and his family. The seizure also aims at Cuba, which reportedly sells Venezuelan crude on the black market to Asian markets and shares profits with Venezuelan officials; the oil is handled by a grandson of Raul Castro. U.S. sanctions have targeted Venezuela's oil shipments for years, but officials say a tanker of this size had not been seized before.
Read at Axios
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