The United States stopped a second oil tanker. It is suspected of carrying oil from Venezuela. This is part of the US plan to use economic sanctions. The ship was found in international waters. This happened near Barbados. A special US Coast Guard team was involved.
The ship was taken on Saturday morning. This shows the US is serious about stopping Venezuelan oil. This is similar to an event in December. The US government is using sanctions more strongly now. The tanker is called "Centuries." It sails under the flag of Panama.
Officials said the ship left Venezuela. It was in the Caribbean Sea. The US Department of Homeland Security said the goal was to stop illegal oil movement. They believe this oil funds drug trafficking and terrorism. Secretary Kristi Noem warned, "We will find you and stop you."
The US calls this a "blockade." President Donald Trump had ordered this. Any ship with Venezuelan oil can be stopped. This is happening during difficult times between the US and Venezuela. The US wants to isolate President Nicolás Maduro's government.
Venezuela strongly disagrees with the US. They called it "theft and hijacking." Venezuela also said it was "international piracy." Vice President Delcy Rodriguez worried about the ship's crew. She said they might have been "disappeared." Venezuela plans to complain to the United Nations.