US intercepts oil tanker off Venezuelan coast, officials say

Since US forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela last week, loaded vessels have stayed in Venezuelan waters, effectively creating an embargo as they avoid the risk of seizure.

The United States has intercepted an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in international waters, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Saturday, a move that comes just days after US President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.