US Operation to Seize Tanker off Venezuela: Report

The United States is undertaking an operation to seize a tanker off the coast of Venezuela, in international waters. This was reported by three U.S. officials to Reuters, days after President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of sanctioned tankers.

The officials, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the operation is being led by the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard and the Pentagon deferred comments to the White House, which has yet to respond.

Trump had stated on Tuesday that he was ordering a complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going to or from Venezuela. Following the seizure of the first tanker last week, a de facto embargo has been imposed, with many ships remaining in Venezuelan territorial waters to avoid seizure.