The US has seized a sanctioned vessel in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, US officials have told BBC News partner CBS.
This marks the second time this month that the US has raided a vessel off Venezuela's coast.
This latest seizure comes on the heels of President Trump’s announcement ordering a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
While Venezuela has not yet responded to the latest seizure, previous statements from its government have accused the US of seeking to steal its oil resources.
The operation was carried out by the US Coast Guard, employing a specialized tactical team. Similar to an earlier interception this month, the Coast Guard has been ramping up its military presence in the Caribbean.
The US has conducted operations targeting Venezuelan vessels, claiming they were linked to drug smuggling activities, although it has yet to provide concrete evidence of such claims.
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has vehemently denied US accusations of drug trafficking and has described the blockade as a form of international theft of its oil resources.
The seizure is significant, considering Venezuela's vast oil reserves are critical to its economic stability, which heavily relies on oil revenues.
Trump's recent military actions follow a previous seizure of an oil tanker associated with this supposed 'ghost fleet', known for its deceptive operations aimed at evading sanctions.
The full implications of the US’s continued military operations in the region remain to be seen as both nations navigate the fraught geopolitical waters.
