Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that American forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, escalating tensions with the government of President Nicolás Maduro amid growing confrontation between Washington and Caracas.
Speaking during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Trump said, according to CNBC: “We just seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.”
He offered no further details regarding the vessel’s ownership, cargo or destination.
The announcement follows weeks of intensified pressure on Maduro’s government. Trump said in an interview with Politico on Tuesday that “Maduro’s days are numbered,” signaling a sharper, more aggressive line on Venezuela.
When asked whether he would rule out a ground invasion of the South American nation, Trump declined to do so.
“I don’t want to rule anything in or out,” he told Politico.
“I’m not talking about that.”
The remarks add to speculation about potential U.S. actions in the region, though no official confirmation has been provided regarding any military plans.
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