President Donald Trump announced that the United States successfully intercepted and seized a Russian freighter loaded with Venezuelan oil, revealing that Russian naval vessels shadowing the cargo ship chose not to engage American forces.
The seizure represents a significant assertion of American power in the Western Hemisphere and marks a direct challenge to Russian influence in Venezuela. Trump disclosed the operation during a Fox News interview from 11:30 while discussing the broader U.S. intervention in Venezuela following the removal of Nicolás Maduro.
“We’ve picked up the Russian freighter that was out there,” Trump said. “They had some Russian ships guarding it and they decided not to mess around with us and we took that one, it’s unloading the oil.”
The incident occurred as the United States moved to assert control over Venezuelan oil assets following military operations that resulted in Maduro’s capture. Trump indicated that Russian vessels were providing escort to the freighter but withdrew when confronted by American forces, avoiding what could have escalated into a direct military confrontation between the two nuclear powers.
The seized vessel is currently unloading its cargo, which Trump indicated would be sold with proceeds benefiting both the Venezuelan people and the United States. The President emphasized that America is taking control of billions of dollars worth of Venezuelan oil, with projections reaching hundreds of billions or even trillions over time.
Trump’s announcement came as he revealed plans to meet with executives from the world’s top 14 oil companies at the White House to discuss rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure. The administration plans to coordinate American energy companies investing at least 100 billion dollars to restore production capabilities in a country possessing the world’s largest proven oil reserves.
The Russian freighter seizure underscores the Trump administration’s willingness to directly challenge foreign powers operating in what the President refers to as the “Donroe Doctrine” zone, an updated version of the Monroe Doctrine asserting American primacy in the Western Hemisphere. See More
Get More Interesting News By Using The Button Above.