Trump doubles down on Venezuelan oil with sales and vessels seizure

The United States administration under President Trump announced it will personally control the proceeds from the sale of 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil. This action follows a US blockade and the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The US Energy Department stated it will sell Venezuelan oil production 'indefinitely' and has engaged global marketers and banks for the sales. In a related escalation, the US seized an empty Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela's oil trade with support from Britain's Royal Air Force.