From NBC News: The Trump administration plans to hold the oil tanker it seized in waters near Venezuela at an American port in Texas but release the crew that was on board once the vessel docks, according to two U.S. officials.
The officials said the tanker was seized in international waters. The American personnel on board the tanker have been interviewing the crew and offered for the U.S. to facilitate their travel from the ship after it arrives at a port in Galveston, Texas, the officials said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that the U.S. would seize the oil on the tanker after going through a “legal process” to do so.
The U.S. seized the large tanker known as the Skipper on Wednesday.
The action was a “joint operation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War,” according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
President Donald Trump directed the action as he increases pressure on the Venezuelan regime and its leader Nicolas Maduro.
According to the Trump administration, the tanker was being used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
Read more at NBC News
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
