The United States has captured an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela that was used to transport crude oil from that country and Iran, official sources confirmed. The operation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Department of Defense. According to initial reports, the action is part of control and sanctions enforcement operations related to oil trade. According to the Argentine News Agency (NA), U.S. authorities have not yet specified the vessel's destination or the crew's situation, but they noted that the case is now under federal investigation.
Following the announcement, crude prices reacted upwards: Brent crude futures rose by nearly 0.5%, reflecting market concerns over potential new disruptions in oil shipments. This episode marks a significant escalation in the pressure strategy of the Donald J. Trump administration against the government of Nicolás Maduro, adding to recent military operations in the Caribbean region.
