U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Oil Tanker Off Coast of Venezuela

The U.S. has seized a sanctioned oil tanker, off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday. The vessel, believed to be the VLCC Skipper was carrying 1.8 million barrels of Merey heavy crude and transferred about 200,000 barrels near Curacao before the operation. The tanker was also previously involved in Iranian oil trading. This seizure marks the first known action against a Venezuela-related tanker since Trump ordered a military buildup in the region. Tensions between Washington and Caracas escalated as Trump suggested that the U.S. will keep the oil in the "very large" tanker. In response, Venezuela's government accused the U.S. of "blatant theft" and "international piracy", and plans to denounce the incident before international bodies. Iran's embassy in Caracas also condemned the seizure as a “grave violation" of international laws and norms. The move adds pressure on President Nicolas Maduro as Washington targets Venezuela’s main revenue source.