Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

US Seizes Venezuelan-Linked Oil Tanker


(MENAFN) The United States seized an oil tanker on Saturday that had last docked in Venezuela, according to the American Homeland Security chief.

The vessel was taken into custody by the US Coast Guard before dawn with assistance from the Pentagon, Kristi Noem wrote on the social media platform X.

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region.
We will find you, and we will stop you," Noem added.

Officials in Venezuela issued a statement denouncing the "theft and kidnapping" of the tanker by Washington.

"These acts will not go unpunished," the statement declared, adding that Caracas will pursue all relevant measures, including submitting a complaint to the UN Security Council and other international organizations.

This incident comes amid escalating friction between Washington and Caracas.

US President Donald Trump previously announced a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.

The confrontation intensified on Dec. 10, when American forces intercepted another sanctioned tanker near Venezuela’s coast, an action the Venezuelan government condemned as “international piracy.”

MENAFN21122025000045017167ID1110508564



MENAFN

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Search