US intercepts oil tanker off Venezuelan coast, officials say
Summary
The US Coast Guard intercepted a Panama-flagged oil tanker off Venezuela's coast amid heightened sanctions and military pressure. Venezuela condemned the action as piracy and plans to report it to the UN Security Council.
Key Points
- The US Coast Guard intercepted an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast carrying sanctioned oil.
- The vessel is believed to be the Panama-flagged Centuries, part of Venezuela's shadow fleet exporting crude to China.
- The interception follows US President Trump's order for a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela.
- Venezuela condemned the interception as an act of international piracy and plans to report it to the United Nations Security Council.
