Donald Trump says US military seized ‘largest’ oil tanker on Venezuela coast, tensions soar, fear of war grows
US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration has seized an oil tanker on the coast of Venezuela as tensions between the countries continue to escalate.
Speaking from the White House, Mr Trump said it has been an “interesting day” and told journalists “other things were happening”.
“We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela,” Mr Trump said.
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Mr Trump has ordered a massive US military build-up in the region, including an aircraft carrier, fighter jets and tens of thousands of troops.
It is understood that the oil tanker was carrying sanctioned oil.
The seizure comes as Mr Trump continues to feud with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration has so far carried out over 20 fatal kinetic strikes on boats alleged carrying drugs, manned by “narco-terrorists”.
The war on drugs entering the US through Venezuela has been labelled a pseudo war by experts.
Venezuela has stepped up its military action, including mass recruitment of soldiers, while the US Government has mobilised the world’s largest aircraft carrier and other military assets to the region.
More to come...
