""We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually," Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump said the tanker "was seized for a very good reason." The US president added that "other things are happening," without offering any additional details. Reporters asked Trump what would happen with the oil, he replied: "We keep it, I guess.""
"The announcement marks the latest escalation between the Trump administration and the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and it comes as opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is believed to have left the country for Oslo, where she had been given the Nobel Peace Prize this week. In an interview with US news outlet Politico earlier this week, Trump said that Maduro's "days are numbered," declining to rule out a US ground invasion against Venezuela."
"The oil tanker seizure comes weeks after the Trump administration has dramatically increased US presence in the Caribbean, near Venezuelan waters, and conducted strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats originating from Venezuela. The US has been amassing a fleet of warships including the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. Unnamed US officials said the tanker's seizure was led by the US Coast Guard and supported by the Navy."
US forces seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, and the US president said the vessel was taken for a very good reason and suggested the oil would be kept. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a video appearing to show US forces boarding the tanker, though the clip could not be independently verified. The seizure represents an escalation between Washington and President Nicolas Maduro's regime amid opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's departure to Oslo. The US has increased naval and military activity near Venezuelan waters, carried out strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats, and cited Coast Guard and Navy roles in the operation. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves but faces industry constraints under US sanctions.
Read at www.dw.com
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