US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States will either keep or sell crude oil seized from Venezuelan tankers, as Washington continues to step up pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump said the oil could be sold, kept, or added to the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve. He also said the seized vessels would remain under US control.

The comments came as the US Coast Guard continued to pursue a third oil tanker that authorities described as part of a Venezuelan “dark fleet” used to bypass US sanctions. Trump said the tanker would eventually be seized.

Earlier this month, US forces seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela. The Trump administration has accused Caracas of using oil revenues to fund drug-related crime, an allegation the Venezuelan government has rejected, calling the seizures acts of piracy.

Trump suggested the actions could increase pressure on Maduro to leave office but said the decision ultimately rested with the Venezuelan leader.

The US has expanded its military presence in the Caribbean and Pacific regions and has carried out strikes on vessels it claims were involved in drug trafficking. The military has faced criticism over a lack of public evidence linking the targets to drug smuggling.

Venezuelan President Maduro responded by accusing Trump of interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs and said the US leader should focus on domestic issues.

The Trump administration has designated Maduro’s government as a foreign terrorist organisation and recently ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers traveling to or from Venezuela.

Venezuela has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss what it described as continued US aggression.

With inputs from BBC