The U.S. will retain both the sanctioned tankers it has detained off the coast of Venezuela and the oil on board, which may be used as a strategic reserve, Donald Trump stated, according to DW.
Sanctioned oil tankers detained off the coast of Venezuela will remain under the ownership of the United States. This statement was made by U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, December 22, while speaking with reporters.
In response to a clarifying question regarding the oil tanker detained off the coast of Venezuela on December 10, he indicated that the raw materials on board this vessel will also remain the property of the U.S. It may be used as a strategic reserve, Trump noted.
U.S. Detention of Sanctioned Tankers Off the Coast of Venezuela
Recently, the U.S. has detained two vessels in the Caribbean Sea that, according to Washington, Venezuela uses to circumvent sanctions. Additionally, media reports indicate that since December 22, the U.S. Coast Guard has been pursuing a third tanker, which is likely also part of the "shadow fleet" of this South American country.
On December 16, Donald Trump ordered a maritime blockade of sanctioned oil tankers heading to or from Venezuela. The next day, December 17, Trump demanded on his social media platform Truth Social that Venezuela "immediately" return to the U.S. "the oil, land, and other assets that it previously stole from them."
In Caracas, the U.S. demands were labeled a "grotesque threat" that violates international law.
In the early 2000s, Venezuela nationalized all oil fields. This affected the interests of foreign companies, including those from the U.S., resulting in a dispute over compensation claims. On December 22, in response to a journalist's question, Trump confirmed that he had spoken with major American oil companies whose properties were confiscated at that time. However, he did not disclose the content of those discussions.
Trump: Maduro's Resignation Would Be a Smart Move
Reflecting on whether the U.S. government wants to force Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro to resign, Donald Trump noted: "What he wants to do is up to him. I think it would be smart for him to do so." "If he wants to take any action, to show toughness, this will be the last time he can show toughness," added the American leader.
For his part, Nicolás Maduro, commenting on Trump's December 22 directive to impose a blockade on oil tankers heading to or from Venezuela, stated that the U.S. president "would be better off focusing on domestic economic and social issues" instead of threatening Caracas.
