The United States has seized a seventh oil tanker, the Sagitta, in the Caribbean for violating its sanctions. According to military officials, the Sagitta was seized as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to tighten control over Venezuela’s oil exports.

It’s All About The Oil: Trump Wants “Oil Rights” In Venezuela

The seizure comes as U.S. ruler Donald Trump seeks to tighten control over Venezuela’s oil exports following the January 3 raid during which the South American nation’s president, Nicolas Maduro, was abducted. It is the seventh tanker apprehended in international waters for defying unilateral U.S. sanctions since December.

This blatant theft comes as the U.S. looks to expand its power in the region by taking control of natural resources.

WAR ALERT: Trump Administration Considers “Murder Mission” And Seizure Of Venezuela Oil Fields

Among the vessels stopped so far by the U.S. military is the Russian-flagged Marinera, which was seized in the northern Atlantic. According to a report by RT, Moscow has condemned the action as a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier this week that Moscow expects Washington to release the Russian crew members of the oil tanker.

Reuters reported last week that the US Justice Department had filed a series of largely non‑public civil forfeiture actions in U.S. courts seeking warrants to seize more tankers suspected of evading sanctions and moving oil tied to Venezuela’s exports. The filings, also targeting vessels linked to Iranian and Russian oil, are reportedly part of a wider campaign to assert control over Venezuelan crude shipments.

The U.S. initially tried to claim that the inflammatory tensions surrounding Venezuela were due to “narco terrorism.” Unfortunately, what it has done is unleash the truth. The U.S. wants access to Venezuela’s natural resources and oil, and desperately tried, at the beginning of the conflict, to get the public on board. That tactic has largely failed, and more than half of Americans are tired of the constant war mongering.