U.S. officials are weighing additional seizures of oil-laden tankers tied to Venezuela after a recent interdiction that the administration has presented as part of a broader pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro. According to the reporting, U.S. forces are currently positioned to seize vessels once they leave port, but an official said the administration could also seek a warrant that would allow a seizure while ships are still in Venezuelan waters if they “make us wait too long.”

The same reporting said as many as 18 sanctioned oil-laden ships are in Venezuela’s waters, including eight very large tankers that can carry nearly 2 million barrels. A shipping tracker cited in the report estimated about 11 million barrels are sitting in 39 tankers.

The administration is also expanding financial pressure through sanctions, including by adding vessels to the Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals list, which the seized vessel was already on, according to the report. (Axios)

The prospect of more interdictions has coincided with signs of disruption to exports. A separate report citing shipping data and maritime sources said Venezuela’s exports fell after the seizure and that other tankers loaded with oil and fuel were stuck in Venezuelan waters. It also said that, since the seizure, only tankers chartered by Chevron have been moving through the area carrying Venezuelan crude.

Venezuela’s government has condemned the U.S. action, with Maduro denouncing the tanker seizure as “international piracy,” according to the report. (Axios)

Separately, Venezuela’s state oil company said it was hit by a cyberattack aimed at disrupting operations, but said its operational areas were not affected and the incident was limited to administrative systems.