The vessel had left Venezuelan ports recently and was traveling through Caribbean waters when boarded.

US forces intercepted a second oil tanker in international waters off Venezuela’s coast on Saturday, escalating tensions in the Caribbean as President Donald Trump enforces a new blockade on sanctioned vessels .President Donald Trump presses ahead with a hardline campaign aimed at tightening pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government. The Panama-flagged tanker, carrying crude oil from Venezuela, was stopped by the US Coast Guard with military support, according to reports from US officials and Venezuelan oil sector sources.

Would not rule out war

The vessel had left Venezuelan ports recently and was traveling through Caribbean waters when boarded. This action follows Trump’s announcement earlier this week of a full blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. In a Friday interview, Trump left open the option of military conflict with Venezuela, stating he would not rule out war.

Maduro : “naval piracy.”

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the prior seizure on December 10 as “naval piracy.” That operation involved a large tanker allegedly transporting sanctioned oil to Iran, as stated by the US attorney general. Maduro rejects US claims that he runs a drug-trafficking operation, which Washington uses to justify expanded economic and military pressure on Caracas

US Military presence in the Caribbean

For months, the US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, focusing on anti-drug operations but with clear attention on Venezuela. Since September, US forces have conducted airstrikes on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in over 100 deaths. Legal experts have raised concerns about these strikes’ compliance with international law.

The blockade targets Venezuela’s oil exports, a key revenue source for Maduro’s government amid severe sanctions. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but production has fallen sharply due to economic mismanagement and restrictions.

Related : U.S. Coast Guard seizes Panama-registered Oil tanker moving sanctioned of Coast Venezuelan

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