THE United States has taken control of an oil tanker that had just left Venezuela, according to the US Department of Homeland Security.
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This is the second time this month that the US has stopped an oil tanker near Venezuela’s coast.
The action follows a statement from US President Donald Trump, who said on Tuesday he was ordering the stopping of oil ships that are sanctioned and moving in and out of Venezuela.
Venezuela has criticized the recent seizure of its ships, calling it "theft and hijacking."
The country has also accused the US in the past of trying to take its resources.
A statement from the Venezuelan government said, "These acts will not go unpunished," and mentioned that it plans to take the issue to the United Nations Security Council and other international groups and governments.
The operation was carried out by the US Coast Guard, similar to a previous action this month.
The ship was stopped by a special team and was in international waters when it was taken over.