The United States has intercepted a second oil tanker linked to Venezuela in international waters in recent weeks, while US Coast Guard forces are separately pursuing a third vessel in the Caribbean.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that American forces intercepted and boarded the tanker Centuries in a pre-dawn operation, with assistance from the Department of Defense.
According to US officials, the vessel had last docked in Venezuela and was carrying oil under US sanctions. The interception followed Trump’s announcement of a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
The White House said the tanker was falsely flagged and operating as part of Venezuela’s so-called shadow fleet. US officials alleged that such vessels are used to move sanctioned oil and generate revenue for the government of President Nicolás Maduro. Noem said the United States would continue targeting illicit oil movements linked to sanctions evasion.
Venezuela’s government condemned the interception,
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