U.S. boards un-sanctioned tanker with Venezuelan oil to tighten blockade

""This is a message to Maduro," one of the sources briefed on the boarding said, referring to Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, who has been indicted as a "narco-terrorist" and is wanted by the U.S."

"Six days after the seizure of the Skipper, Trump announced the blockade would apply to all vessels that are on the U.S. sanctions lists servicing Venezuela. But as Axios first reported prior to the announcement, Trump advisers believed that almost any vessel carrying Venezuelan crude would be subject to seizure."

""Even if we don't seize the oil, it's telling everyone who decides to play this game that we're going to interdict you at will," the source said. "Who is going to want to take that risk?""

U.S. forces boarded a second tanker carrying Venezuelan oil, following the Dec. 10 seizure of the Skipper. It remains unclear whether the United States will take control of the cargo as it did with the Skipper. One source described the boarding as a message aimed at Nicolás Maduro, who faces U.S. charges. Six days after the Skipper seizure, the U.S. announced a blockade applying to vessels on U.S. sanctions lists, and advisers believed many vessels carrying Venezuelan crude could be subject to seizure. Venezuela dispatched non-sanctioned tankers, one escorted by a naval vessel, amid the standoff.

Read at Axios