Trump says U.S. will keep the crude oil and tankers seized near Venezuela

President Donald Trump on Monday said the U.S. will keep crude oil and tankers seized near Venezuela.

“We’re going to keep it,” Trump told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida after unveiling a new class of battleships named after himself.

“Maybe we’ll sell it, maybe we’ll keep it, maybe we’ll use it in the strategic reserve,” Trump said of the seized oil. “We’re keeping the ships also.”

Trump has ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela as he escalates pressure on President Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. seized a large tanker on Dec. 10 and intercepted a second one over the weekend. Trump confirmed Monday that the U.S. is pursuing a third vessel.

“It’s moving along. We’ll end up getting it,” Trump said of the tanker. “It came from the wrong location. It came out of Venezuela, and it was sanctioned.”

Trump said “it would be smart” for Maduro to step down when asked whether his goal is to oust the Venezuelan president.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.