Arya News -
( NewsNation ) — Rick Crawford, chair of the House and Select Committee on Intelligence, believes Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been put on notice.
Crawford’s comments come after the United States seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, and follow numerous strikes from the Trump administration on reported drug cartel boats.
“This is an ongoing action against, really, an illegal regime,” Crawford, R-Ark., told “ Elizabeth Vargas Reports ” on Wednesday.
“This is a pretty strong signal to Maduro; it’s time for him to wave the white flag and look for a way out, because things are not going to get better for him as time goes on,” he added.
President Trump has ordered a massive U.S. military buildup in the region, including an aircraft carrier, fighter jets and tens of thousands of troops.
Oceans deserve more scrutiny amid UFO/UAP talk: Retired admiral
The seizure could signal new and intensifying efforts to go after Venezuela’s oil, the country’s main source of revenue. Three U.S. officials, speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, said the operation was led by the U.S. Coast Guard. They did not name the tanker, which country’s flag it was flying or exactly where the interdiction took place.
British maritime risk management group Vanguard said the tanker Skipper was believed to have been seized off Venezuela early Wednesday. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the tanker for what Washington said was its involvement in Iranian oil trading when it was called the Adisa.
“I think President Trump is willing to give him enough grace to leave on his own and go ahead and install the legitimately elected leader who just received the Nobel Prize today,” Crawford said, referring to María Corina Machado.
“Maduro needs to go. This is part and parcel of the problem that currently exists in Venezuela.”
Reuters contributed to this story.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.