The United States is preparing to seize several more ships carrying Venezuelan oil in the coming weeks, intensifying pressure on President Nicolas Maduro, Reuters reports.
The seizure of the tankers this week is the first time Washington has taken such a step against Venezuela, which has been under sanctions since 2019. The operation took place in the Caribbean as the United States increases its military presence in the region and as President Donald Trump continues his initiative to remove Maduro from power.
The incident has prompted ship owners, operators, and maritime agencies involved in transporting Venezuelan crude to review their plans to leave Venezuelan waters.
White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt, when asked whether the Trump administration was planning new seizures, said: "We will not stand idly by and watch as sanctioned ships sail around the world carrying black market oil, funding narco-terrorism and illegitimate regimes."
According to Reuters, the United States has already listed several more sanctioned tankers for possible seizure. It is also noted that these operations have been prepared for months.
A reduction or cessation of Venezuelan oil exports could seriously undermine the Maduro administration's financial stability, as oil exports are a primary source of government revenue.
