How China is closely following Trump's Venezuela campaign | DW News

The United States says it has destroyed three boats in the eastern Pacific that it claims were engaged in drug smuggling.

The US military released these images of the strikes. It says eight people were killed. The United States has been targeting vessels allegedly transporting drugs off the coast of Venezuela and in the eastern Pacific Ocean since the summer. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accuses the US of trying to overthrow him.

In addition to vessels allegedly carrying drugs, the United States is now taking a greater interest in oil tankers.

Last week, the United States seized this tanker sailing from Venezuela. It said the vessel was carrying oil in violation of US sanctions and has threatened to intercept more ships. Venezuela called the seizure “blatant theft” and “international piracy.”

If Washington follows through on its threats and steps up its campaign against Venezuelan oil, that would set alarms bells ringing in Beijing. For years, Caracas has been dodging US sanctions by selling most of its oil output to Beijing. That lifeline now looks under threat.

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