US Coast Guard seizes second oil tanker off Venezuelan coast

The U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast on December 20th. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the action, stating the U.S. will continue to pursue illicit movements of sanctioned oil used to fund narco-terrorism. Footage showed U.S. helicopters surrounding the vessel and deploying soldiers onto it. This seizure marks the first since President Donald Trump declared a blockade of all vessels carrying Venezuelan oil, warning that pressure would increase and demanding the return of assets. Trump's demand refers to the nationalization of foreign oil assets by Hugo Chavez in 2007. This is not the first oil tanker linked to Venezuela seized by the U.S.; the sanctioned tanker 'Skipper' was seized on December 10th. Tensions have escalated since then, with further sanctions against Maduro's associates and warnings from Venezuela's allies.