US Seizes Tanker Near Venezuela, Trump Announces

President claims it is the “largest one ever seized”

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States has seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela, describing it as the largest vessel ever seized by American authorities.

“As you probably know, we’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large one… the largest one ever seized actually,” Trump told reporters during a White House event Wednesday afternoon.

The president indicated that more details about the operation would be forthcoming, stating, “You’ll be seeing that later and we’ll be talking about it later with some other people.”

No additional information regarding the tanker’s origin, cargo, or the circumstances of the seizure was immediately provided.

The seizure comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas. The United States has previously imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector and has taken action against vessels suspected of violating those sanctions.

Further details are expected to be released in the coming hours.