"Representative Adam Smith, Democratic leader of the House Armed Services Committee, says President Trump's move to block Venezuela's sanctioned oil shipments is aimed at driving President Nicolas Maduro from power, not enforcing maritime law. "This is about regime change in the conflict with Venezuela, much more than it's about trying to enforce international laws against false flag vessels or dark fleet vessels," Smith told Morning Edition."
"His comments come as the Department of Homeland Security says the U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker that has recently departed from Venezuela, the third oil-carrying vessel pursued this month off the country's coast. Two ships have already been seized. The move follows President Donald Trump's announcement last week to put a "total and complete blockade" against Venezuelan oil and sanctioned tankers. Trump said more military pressure would come "until they return to the United States of America, all of the oil, land and other assets that Venezuela stole from us.""
Representative Adam Smith says President Trump's move to block Venezuela's sanctioned oil shipments is aimed at driving President Nicolas Maduro from power rather than enforcing maritime law. Smith characterizes the action as regime change more than enforcement against false flag or dark fleet vessels. The Department of Homeland Security says the U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker recently departed from Venezuela, the third oil-carrying vessel pursued this month off the country's coast. Two ships have already been seized. President Trump announced a "total and complete blockade" against Venezuelan oil and sanctioned tankers and said more military pressure would continue until assets allegedly stolen by Venezuela are returned. Venezuela denies stealing U.S. assets and says the U.S. aims to seize its natural resources.
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