"WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela as tensions mount with the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Using U.S. forces to take control of a merchant ship is incredibly unusual and marks the Trump administration's latest push to increase pressure on Maduro, who has been charged with narcoterrorism in the United States."
""We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually," Trump told reporters at the White House, later adding that "it was seized for a very good reason." Trump did not offer additional details. When asked what would happen to the oil aboard the tanker, Trump said, "Well, we keep it, I guess.""
"The Ford is in the Caribbean Sea after arriving last month in a major show of force, joining a fleet of other warships. Video posted to social media by Attorney General Pam Bondi shows people fast-roping from one of the helicopters involved in the operation as it hovers just feet from the deck. The Coast Guard members can be seen later in the video moving throughout the superstructure of the ship with their weapons drawn."
The United States seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela using Coast Guard forces supported by the Navy. Using U.S. forces to take control of a merchant ship is unusually aggressive and reflects increased pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, who faces narcoterrorism charges in the United States. The operation was conducted under U.S. law enforcement authority and was led by Coast Guard personnel deployed by helicopter from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. The U.S. has amassed its largest regional military presence in decades and has conducted deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, while Congress scrutinizes the campaign. President Trump indicated the oil would be retained.
Read at www.npr.org
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