U.S. Forces Seize Oil Tanker Near Venezuela in Military Escalation

U.S. military forces have seized an oil tanker in waters near Venezuela. The action significantly increases tensions between the two nations. The operation was led by the U.S. Coast Guard with support from the Navy, according to sources. It occurred in the Caribbean Sea, where the U.S. has recently increased its military presence. The reasons for the seizure and the tanker's specific cargo are not yet publicly confirmed. The Venezuelan government has not issued an immediate statement. This move marks a sharp escalation in a long-standing adversarial relationship. The U.S. has imposed heavy economic sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry for years.