The US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, three officials told Reuters on Wednesday, a move that raised oil prices and is likely to further escalate tensions between Washington and Caracas.
US President Donald Trump US ordered the construction of US forces in the region, including an aircraft carrier, fighter jets and tens of thousands of troops.
Authorities, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the operation was led by the US Coast Guard. They did not name the word tank, the flag of the country that flies anywhere exactly where the dependence is reduced.
Oil futures rose following news of the attack, after trading in negative territory earlier in the day. Global Brent Crude futures future LCOC1 was selling at $ 62.35 a barrel, 41 cents, at 2: 32 PM et, while the west Texas future clc1 settled at $ 58.46 cents a barrel.
The Coast Guard referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Venezuela exported more than 900,000 barrels a day last month, the third monthly average so far this year, as state-owned oil company PDVSA imported one from Exprey Ound. Even amid increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Washington was not motivated to disrupt the flow of the country’s oil.
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Oil Exports are Venezuela’s main source of income. The country has had to reduce its credence in its main game, China, due to competition and competition with the oil supplied from Russia and Iran.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro suspects that the US Builds in Venezuela aims to destroy him and control OPEC’s huge oil reserves.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that he might intervene in the war in Venezuela.
