Key insights
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US says it will control Venezuelan oil exports through a quarantine of sanctioned vessels: US Southern Command said the Veronica was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels and said only properly coordinated and lawful oil would leave Venezuela.
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US officials signaled continued action against a “dark fleet” transporting sanctioned oil: The report said Washington’s crackdown on the so-called dark fleet of more than 1,000 vessels that transport sanctioned oil would continue as the US works with Venezuela’s interim government to control oil sales.
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White House linked energy deal and prisoner releases to cooperation from Venezuela’s interim leadership: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the $500m energy deal was struck in large part because of help from Delcy Rodríguez and said the interim president confirmed Venezuela would be releasing political prisoners, adding that five Americans were released this week.
Takeaways
US officials said the seizure of the Veronica is part of an ongoing campaign to restrict and manage Venezuelan oil shipments and sales.
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