Venezuelan oil exports halted due to US tanker seizure

Oil exports from Venezuela have significantly decreased after the US seized a tanker carrying sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, leading to a virtual standstill in tanker movements. President Maduro denounced the seizure as an act of “piracy” and accused President Trump of seeking regime change. The US imposed new sanctions on Venezuelan shipping firms, while Chevron remains exempt. The seizure, following a naval build-up in the region, occurred as the US was granted a warrant to seize the vessel, which had been using false location transmissions to hide its movements.

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