U.S. Coast Guard Intercepts Two Venezuelan Oil Tankers Amid Military Build-Up

The U.S. Coast Guard recently intercepted two oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela. The first seizure occurred shortly after President Trump declared a blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem shared a video of the operation, stating that it was part of a broader effort to combat the illicit movement of sanctioned oil linked to narco terrorism. The Venezuelan government condemned these actions, referring to them as 'theft and kidnapping.' They vowed to take corresponding actions, including filing complaints with the United Nations Security Council.

The operations involved multiple federal entities, including the U.S. Navy, and were characterized as not isolated incidents but part of an ongoing enforcement campaign against the Maduro regime. This comes amid a significant military buildup by the U.S. in Latin America, raising tensions within the region.

The Maduro government has accused the U.S. of piracy and warned that such actions would not go unpunished, labeling the blockade a violation of international law. According to CBS News, these operations reflect the current U.S. strategy aimed at increasing pressure on the Venezuelan leadership, which has been facing sanctions for years over its alleged involvement in various illicit activities.