Donald Trump has stated that the US will keep or sell the crude oil contained on tankers seized off the coast of Venezuela, along with the vessels themselves.
The president's comments come amid ongoing pressure from Washington on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to resign.
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump declared, we're going to keep it, and added, Maybe we will sell it, maybe we will keep it. Maybe we'll use it in the Strategic Reserves. We're keeping the ships also.
The Trump administration has accused the Venezuelan government of utilizing oil revenues to finance drug-related crime, while Venezuelan officials have denounced the seizures as acts of piracy.
This month, the US military has seized two oil tankers, with plans to capture a third vessel from a Venezuelan dark fleet said to be circumventing US sanctions.
When asked if these seizures aim to force Maduro's departure, Trump suggested that it might compel him to act. He also noted expectations for increased military action against vessels and possibly on land, further escalating tensions.
Maduro responded, advising Trump to manage his own country’s issues rather than interfere in Venezuelan affairs.
The US designates Maduro's government as a foreign terrorist organization and has initiated a blockade against sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, emphasizing its commitment to undermining the Venezuelan economy dependent on oil.
As Caracas faces economic turmoil, the UN Security Council plans to discuss what it views as ongoing US aggression against Venezuela.
