PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS SEIZED AN OIL TANKER OFF THE COAST OF VENEZUELA AS TENSIONS MOUNT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLÁS MADURO.

 

SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

“As you probably know, we’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Large tanker, very large. Largest one ever seized actually. And other things are happening, so.”

 

USING U.S. FORCES TO SEIZE AN OIL TANKER IS INCREDIBLY UNUSUAL AND MARKS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S LATEST PUSH TO INCREASE PRESSURE ON MADURO.

 

 THE U.S. HAS BUILT UP THE LARGEST MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE REGION IN DECADES AND LAUNCHED A SERIES OF DEADLY STRIKES ON ALLEGED DRUG-SMUGGLING BOATS IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA AND EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN.

 

THE SEIZURE WAS LED BY THE U.S. COAST GUARD AND SUPPORTED BY THE NAVY.

 

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A U.S. OFFICIAL WHO WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO COMMENT PUBLICLY AND SPOKE ON THE CONDITION OF ANONYMITY.