The latest information about the US move on Venezuela's oil was revealed by a US official. This shows that Washington is now more interested in using economic measures rather than military measures to put pressure on Caracas.
"Although there are still military options, the first focus is on using economic pressure by implementing sanctions to achieve the results that the White House is looking forward to," the unnamed US official said.
US President Donald Trump accused the South American country of contributing to drug flooding in the US. For many months, the US has bombed ships departing from South America, which it accuses of transporting drugs.
President Donald Trump has also repeatedly warned of the possibility of starting bombing infrastructure serving drug trafficking on land, allowing the CIA to conduct covert operations targeting Caracas.
Up to now, in December, the US Coast Guard has intercepted and seized two tankers in the Caribbean Sea, both of which were carrying Venezuela's crude oil. The US Coast Guard is also in the process of seizing the third Venezuelan oil tanker, the Bella 1.
The White House official did not explain in detail what it means for the US military to focus almost entirely on stopping Venezuela's oil.
The Pentagon has concentrated a huge military force in the Caribbean with more than 15,000 soldiers. The force includes one aircraft carrier, 11 other warships and more than a dozen F-35s. While many weapons could be used to support sanctions, many others, such as fighter jets, are not in place for the task.
On December 23, the US announced to the United Nations that it would impose and implement maximum sanctions on Venezuela. In early December, President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of all sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
