US forces seize second vessel off the coast of Venezuela

President Donald Trump speaking to reporters outside the White House (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

US forces on Saturday stopped a vessel off the coast of Venezuela for the second time in less than two weeks as President Donald Trump continues to ramp up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The move, which was confirmed by two US officials familiar with the matter, comes days after Mr Trump announced a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of the South American country and follows the December 10 seizure by American forces of an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast.