The Trump administration on Thursday reportedly renewed a license for oil major Chevron (CVX) to continue pumping oil in Venezuela. According to a Bloomberg report, citing sources familiar with the matter,

Seizures of more tankers could put a stranglehold on Venezuela’s economy, which is exceptionally dependent on oil to keep the government running and pay for basic necessities.

Chevron is flying employees from Caracas to its oil production sites in Venezuela despite a US warning that air travel in the region may be unsafe due to military satellite interference.

Chevron Corp. is flying employees from Caracas to its oil production sites in Venezuela despite a US warning to operators that air travel in the region may be unsafe due to military satellite interference.

The extraordinary seizure appeared to mark the start of the next phase of Mr Trump’s campaign against Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan dictator. The White House has indicated that it was not a one-off.

The U.S. ‌government ​carried out its seizure ‌of the M/T Skipper off the coast of Venezuela ​on Wednesday just as a judge-signed warrant was set to expire, according to ‍the document which was ​unsealed on Friday.

United States steps up activity with seizure of oil tanker off Venezuelan coast