Kerry Kahn

Remember, the U.S.

is also striking small boats in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific that it claims are transporting drugs, killing at least 104 people in at least 28 strikes so far.

Maduro mentions all of this in rallies that he's holding a lot these days.

And he's also giving long speeches on state TV where he insists he just wants peace, not war.

He really likes saying that in English.

And lately, he's even printed it on a MAGA-style red hat.

You see him wearing a lot, too.

A U.S.

official tells NPR that the U.S.

Coast Guard, quote, is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela's illegal sanctions evasion.

The official was not authorized to speak publicly, but did add that the tanker is, quote,

flying a false flag and is under a judicial seizure order.

The Pentagon and the U.S.

Coast Guard referred all inquiries to the White House, which has yet to comment.

President Trump said last week that he was ordering a total blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers coming and going from Venezuela.

On Saturday, U.S.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the U.S.

Coast Guard had boarded an oil tanker, which a White House official later said was flying a false Panamanian flag.

Carrie Khan, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

A U.S.