Trump Claims US Received Over 80 Million Barrels of Venezuelan Oil as Military Seizes Third Tanker

Washington D.C. -- President Donald Trump stated that the United States has received over 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela. Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced that the US military has seized a third sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela in the Indian Ocean.

During his State of the Union address in Washington D.C. on Tuesday night, Trump referred to Venezuela as a new friend and partner, noting the increase in oil supply. He claimed that US oil production has increased by more than 600,000 barrels daily and repeated his old slogan, 'Drill, baby, drill.'

 
On the same day, the US Department of Defense announced via social media that the US military had intercepted an oil tanker named 'Bertha' in the Indian Ocean. The military reportedly tracked the vessel from the Caribbean region before taking control of it.

According to the Pentagon, the tanker was attempting to flee in violation of US sanctions. A video showed US soldiers rappelling from a helicopter onto the ship. With this incident, the number of tankers seized related to Venezuela has reached three.

 
According to Samir Madani, co-founder of the oil tracking organization TankerTrackers.com, the 'Bertha' ship carried approximately 1.9 million barrels of Merey 16 grade crude oil. This is considered one of Venezuela's main export grades.

The Trump administration has also signaled intentions to open Venezuela's oil industry to American companies. Previously, Trump had stated in January that the US would utilize Venezuela's oil after capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro through a special military operation.