U.S. pursues another oil tanker off coast of Venezuela

The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing a sanctioned oil tanker near Venezuela as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies his pressure campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro with a sweeping blockade targeting illicit oil shipments.

"The United States Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion. It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order," a U.S. official said.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the U.S. Coast Guard, with assistance from the Department of War, apprehended the oil tanker during the early morning hours. The ship had last been docked in Venezuela.

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region. We will find you, and we will stop you," Noem said.

The pursuit comes days after Trump announced a "total and complete blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.

The first tanker was seized on Wednesday. A second tanker was seized by U.S. forces on Saturday, again, off the coast of Venezuela.