The US has imposed fresh sanctions on six more ships said to be carrying Venezuelan oil, a day after seizing a tanker off the country's coast. Sanctions have also been placed on some of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's relatives and businesses associated with what Washington calls his illegitimate regime.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the seized vessel, called the Skipper, had been involved in 'illicit oil shipping' and would be taken to an American port. Caracas has described it as an act of 'international piracy'.
It marks a sharp escalation in the US pressure campaign against Maduro, which has seen dozens killed in strikes on boats alleged to have been carrying drugs from Venezuela, and US warships moved within striking distance of the South American country.
The Trump administration has accused Venezuela of funnelling narcotics into the US. Venezuela - home to some of the world's largest proven oil reserves - has, in turn, accused Washington of seeking to steal its resources. Maduro had previously stated that Venezuela would never become an 'oil colony'.
Defending the US military action, Leavitt stated that the US was committed to stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the country and enforcing sanctions. She emphasized, 'We're not going to stand by and watch sanctioned vessels sail the seas with black market oil, the proceeds of which will fuel narco-terrorism of rogue and illegitimate regimes around the world.'
On Wednesday, the White House released dramatic video footage of the raid showing camouflaged soldiers boarding the vessel from a helicopter. The Venezuelan government has strongly condemned the seizure, calling the US 'murderers, thieves, pirates'.
The US Treasury department had sanctioned the Skipper vessel in 2022 for alleged involvement in oil smuggling that generated revenue for militant groups. US military presence in the Caribbean surrounding Venezuela has intensified, including positioning the USS Gerald Ford, the largest aircraft carrier, within striking distance of the country.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the seized vessel, called the Skipper, had been involved in 'illicit oil shipping' and would be taken to an American port. Caracas has described it as an act of 'international piracy'.
It marks a sharp escalation in the US pressure campaign against Maduro, which has seen dozens killed in strikes on boats alleged to have been carrying drugs from Venezuela, and US warships moved within striking distance of the South American country.
The Trump administration has accused Venezuela of funnelling narcotics into the US. Venezuela - home to some of the world's largest proven oil reserves - has, in turn, accused Washington of seeking to steal its resources. Maduro had previously stated that Venezuela would never become an 'oil colony'.
Defending the US military action, Leavitt stated that the US was committed to stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the country and enforcing sanctions. She emphasized, 'We're not going to stand by and watch sanctioned vessels sail the seas with black market oil, the proceeds of which will fuel narco-terrorism of rogue and illegitimate regimes around the world.'
On Wednesday, the White House released dramatic video footage of the raid showing camouflaged soldiers boarding the vessel from a helicopter. The Venezuelan government has strongly condemned the seizure, calling the US 'murderers, thieves, pirates'.
The US Treasury department had sanctioned the Skipper vessel in 2022 for alleged involvement in oil smuggling that generated revenue for militant groups. US military presence in the Caribbean surrounding Venezuela has intensified, including positioning the USS Gerald Ford, the largest aircraft carrier, within striking distance of the country.
