"However, the initial, stated purpose of the military buildup has morphed into a blockade to disrupt the country's oil exports that uses a global shadow fleet of oil tankers outside of Chevron, the single licensed exporter of Venezuelan oil. Trump has for weeks warned that US forces are ready to expand the military campaign by striking targets inside Venezuela, a tactic that would in theory require congressional authorization."
"Video footage posted online on 24 December appeared to show an explosion said to be from the industrial zone of the San Francisco municipality in Zulia state. However, the video or the facility has not been independently verified. An administration official told CNN that the president was describing a drug facility in his comments to Catsimatidis. The buildup of US military in the region a posture the White House calls a maritime quarantine around Venezuela marks the most expansive maritime enforcement action of Trump's presidency."
US forces reportedly struck a large facility in Venezuela, though the president did not specify its location and the White House has not provided further comment. If confirmed, the action would be the first land strike since the Pentagon began a regional military buildup to interdict drug traffickers allegedly operating under President Nicolás Maduro. The initial interdiction posture has shifted into an effort to disrupt Venezuela's oil exports using a global shadow fleet outside Chevron’s licensed exports. About 15,000 personnel, a carrier strike group, F-35s and Coast Guard cutters have been positioned. Video circulated of an explosion but lacks independent verification, and strikes inside Venezuela could raise congressional authorization questions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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