Lankford Defends U.S. Military Action Against Venezuelan Tanker Suspected of Sanction Violations

U.S. Senator James Lankford on Thursday defended the military’s seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela following new video released by Attorney General Pam Bondi that depicted the operation.

The vessel is suspected of transporting sanctioned oil in violation of U.S. measures targeting the Venezuelan regime.

In remarks, Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, described Venezuela’s leader as “an illegitimate dictator recognized only by Russia and China.” He accused the regime of oppressing its people, fueling illegal immigration to the United States, running drugs, and using oil revenue to “sponsor their terrorist activities.”

Lankford stated that the move shows Washington is finally enforcing sanctions that have been in place for years. “They have been sanctioned for years now,” he said. “We’re actually implementing those sanctions and saying that, no, you really can’t do this.”