Venezuela’s authorities have ordered the use of naval forces to escort vessels carrying petroleum products departing from the country’s ports.

Axar.az reports, citing RBC-Ukraine, that the outlet reports that the decision was taken after statements by the US president about a possible blockade of Venezuelan shipments.

According to journalists, several cargo vessels left Venezuela’s coast overnight on December 17 under the protection of naval warships.

The ships are carrying consignments of urea, petroleum coke, and other oil-industry products, most of which are bound for Asian countries.

A US administration official confirmed that Washington is aware of Caracas’s actions and is assessing possible response options.