US Seizes Second Vessel Near Venezuela as Pressure Campaign Against Caracas Intensifies

The United States has seized another vessel operating off the coast of Venezuela, continuing a growing pressure campaign against the government of President Nicolás Maduro. According to an official familiar with the operation, US personnel boarded and took control of the tanker on Saturday while it was traveling in international waters.

The interdiction marks the second known vessel seizure near Venezuela this month and follows President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a “blockade” targeting sanctioned oil tankers moving in and out of the country. Earlier this month, US authorities seized a large oil tanker called the Skipper, which had been under sanctions for its ties to Iran.

Unlike that earlier case, the tanker seized Saturday was not under US sanctions, the official said. The Panamanian-flagged vessel was carrying Venezuelan oil and was ultimately bound for Asia. The boarding was not contested by the crew.

The operation was led by the US Coast Guard with assistance from the US military. Questions about the operation were referred to the White House, which did not respond to a request for comment.

The seizure comes as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Venezuela by targeting its oil industry, a critical source of revenue for the country. New sanctions imposed earlier this year have already strained the sector, which is controlled by state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela. While Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, production remains well below capacity due to international sanctions, with much of its oil exported to China.

The US pressure campaign has also included deploying thousands of troops and a carrier strike group to the Caribbean, as well as conducting strikes on suspected drug boats. US military operations have destroyed dozens of vessels and killed more than 100 people, actions the administration says are aimed at disrupting illegal drug and migrant flows.

Venezuela has condemned the blockade, calling it a serious threat and vowing to defend its sovereignty and national interests.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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