Two US officials, who were not authorized to discuss the operation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident. The officials stated that the vessel was stopped in international waters, but did not provide further details on the nature of the blockade or the vessel's cargo.

The development comes as Trump and his advisers have refused to rule out the potential for open conflict with Venezuela, as its president, Nicolás Maduro, has urged the international community to recognize the legitimacy of his government. Maduro has been facing mounting pressure from the US and other countries to step down, following allegations of human rights abuses and electoral irregularities.

The US has imposed severe economic sanctions on Venezuela, targeting its oil industry, which is the country's main source of revenue. The sanctions have crippled Venezuela's economy, leading to widespread poverty and food shortages. The US has also recognized Juan Guaidó, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, as the interim president of Venezuela.

The international community has been divided on how to address the crisis in Venezuela. The European Union has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, while some countries, such as the UK and Canada, have recognized Guaidó as the legitimate president. Russia and China, however, have continued to support Maduro's government.

The US has maintained that its actions are aimed at restoring democracy in Venezuela and protecting the country's oil resources from falling into the wrong hands. The US has also accused Maduro of using the country's oil wealth to prop up his regime and finance his military.

The current status of the intercepted vessel is unclear, and it is not known what will happen to it next. The US has not released any further information on the vessel or its cargo. The incident has raised tensions between the US and Venezuela, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.