The recent seizure of an oil tanker known as Skipper by the U.S. off the coast of Venezuela marks a dramatic escalation of President Donald Trump's campaign to choke off Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro's access to oil revenues.
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#venezuela / Page 9
The new sanctions come shortly after President Donald Trump announced an oil tanker was seized off the Venezuelan coast.
The tanker was headed eastward and had recently carried Iranian oil. The seizure is an escalation in President Trump's military pressure campaign against Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. seizes an oil tanker off Venezuela, escalating tensions with Maduro's regime.
US forces descended by helicopter onto the tanker in a filmed raid.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States intends to "seize" the crude oil carried on board the oil tanker.
The assertion, which came during Noem's testimony to the House Homeland Security Committee, provided the Trump administration's most thorough assessment so far of why it took control of the vessel on Wednesday.
Seizures of more tankers could put a stranglehold on Venezuela's economy, which is exceptionally dependent on oil to keep the government running and pay for basic necessities.
The U.S. is preparing to intercept more ships transporting Venezuelan oil following the seizure of a tanker this week, sources familiar with the matter said.
Venezuela's allies have gained new prominence amid US pressure campaign and military build-up.