Washington DC [US], December 23: The United States is pursuing an oil tanker in waters near Venezuela, according to multiple news agency reports.
Washington considered the vessel to be part of Venezuela's "sanctioned dark fleet" under "Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion," according to the Reuters and Associated Press reports, each citing an unnamed US official.
Both reports cited a US official as saying the vessel was flying a false flag and had been placed under a judicial seizure order by the US.
Reuters cited a different official as saying that the tanker had not been boarded and that interceptions can also take the form of sailing close to the vessel being pursued.
Why is the US blocking Venezuelan oil tankers?
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
On Truth Social, Trump also announced that he was designating the Venezuelan regime as "a foreign terrorist organisation." He cited reasons including the theft of assets, terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.
The US Coast Guard seized an oil tanker off Venezuela on Saturday. This was the second vessel taken by Washington in the campaign, with the first tanker seized last week.
Venezuela has denounced the seizures as "theft" and "international piracy" and has vowed to defend its sovereignty and natural resources.
Trump has called for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down and has suggested the US could carry out air strikes targeting Venezuela.
Maduro said Sunday on Telegram that his country is "denouncing, challenging and defeating a campaign of aggression."
US Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky told ABC's "This Week" that the tanker seizures are a "provocation and a prelude to war."
US Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia told NBC's "Meet the Press" that sanctions and other tools should be used against Venezuela rather than military action.
"We definitely should not be waging war without a vote of Congress," Kaine said.
Washington accuses Maduro's government, without presenting evidence, of having ties to the Cartel de los Soles criminal organisation.
The US has destroyed several Venezuelan boats in the Caribbean, which it alleges were trafficking drugs, over the last several months in strikes that have killed at least 90 people.
Source: Times of Oman
