Trump Says U.S. May Sell Oil Seized off Venezuela’s Coast

U.S. President Donald Trump has said his administration may store or sell oil seized from tankers intercepted off the coast of Venezuela earlier this month.

Trump also disclosed that the U.S. Coast Guard is continuing efforts to seize another oil tanker, as part of Washington’s broader crackdown on what it describes as illegal oil shipments in the region.

Speaking to reporters, Trump criticized Venezuela’s president, saying he should have stepped down despite receiving political backing from China and Russia. Trump described the Venezuelan leader as strategic, but said that alone was not enough to justify remaining in power.

The remarks came shortly after Trump announced that the United States would build a new warship to be named after him.

According to Trump, the new naval vessel will be larger, more advanced, and faster than existing ships, a move he said reflects his administration’s commitment to strengthening U.S. naval power and maintaining dominance at sea.