U.S. preparing to hijack more oil tankers off Venezuela coast

The development suggests that the White House is planning a broader campaign against Venezuela’s oil exports. The U.S. seized a tanker on Wednesday that had allegedly transported oil from Venezuela to Iran.

The oil market has been focused on Ukraine peace talks and so far is not indicating a risk of a major supply disruption. U.S. crude oil was last down $1.04, 1.78%, to $57.42 a barrel. Global benchmark Brent was at $61.11, down $1.10, or 1.77%.