Trump Hints at Additional Measures to Reporters
U.S. Pursuing Both Military Pressure and Economic Sanctions
High Dependence on Oil Expected to Bring Financial Blow
Donald Trump, President of the United States (center), is speaking at a roundtable held in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on the 10th (local time). Photo by AFP
On December 10 (local time), President Donald Trump of the United States announced that the United States had seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. This move is interpreted as an attempt to pressure Venezuela, whose national economy is highly dependent on crude oil.
According to the Washington Post and BBC, President Trump told reporters at the White House that day, "We just seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. It's a large tanker. In fact, it's the largest tanker we've ever seized so far."
He added, "Other things are happening," hinting at additional measures, but did not disclose specific details such as the identity of the tanker or its owner. He also stated that he would provide further explanations later.
An anonymous source told the Washington Post, "Depending on the legal grounds the United States used for the seizure, this could cause significant problems for the (Nicolas Maduro) regime," adding, "It could also deliver a considerable financial shock."
According to Reuters, Venezuela's crude oil exports this year have reached about 900,000 barrels per day. The main importers are China and the United States.
This measure comes amid escalating tensions and the risk of military conflict between the two countries. Since declaring a war on Venezuelan drug cartels, the Trump administration has combined military pressure with economic sanctions, including blocking oil export routes.
Recently, the level of armed attacks has increased. At least 83 people were killed when vessels suspected of being "drug transport ships" were attacked near the Venezuelan coast. At a cabinet meeting on December 2, it was stated, "We will begin carrying out such airstrikes on land as well," suggesting the possibility of expanding military operations to the mainland.
Many analysts believe that these actions by the Trump administration are aimed not only at drug cartels but also at ousting the Maduro regime. In an interview with the U.S. political media outlet Politico released the previous day, President Trump responded to a question about removing President Maduro by saying, "His days are numbered."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
