State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela

Petróleos de Venezuela, S. A., Venezuela’s state-owned oil and gas company, said it is "currently negotiating with the U.S. for the sale of oil volume within the framework of trade relations that exist between both countries,” in a statement, originally in Spanish, Wednesday.

"This process is developed under schemes similar to those in force with international companies, such as Chevron, and is based on a strictly commercial transaction, with criteria of legality, transparency and benefit for both parties," PDVSA said.

"PDVSA ratifies its commitment to continue building alliances that promote national development in favor of the Venezuelan people and that contribute to global energy stability," the company added.

The Bella1 Russian-flagged oil tanker intercepted by the U.S. earlier this morning is a “Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel,” that was violating sanctions by transporting oil, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Leavitt said the vessel was deemed "stateless," after flying a false flag and that the crew will be subject to prosecution.

While Russia has condemned Wednesday’s actions after previously asking the U.S. not to seize the tanker, Leavitt avoided saying whether that the move would trigger a larger conflict with Russia – maintaining that the seizure was lawful, pursuant to a warrant.

“The vessel this morning was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. Federal Court after being tracked, and this was a Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel that has transported sanctioned oil," Leavitt said.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reiterated her strong opposition to the American operation to capture the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife carried out this past weekend.

Sheinbaum was asked about Mexican political commentators suggesting the result of the operation was positive because it was limited and there was no full invasion of Venezuela.

“What door does this open? That we would be okay with someone coming into Mexico to take whoever they want? Of course not. Here we have a constitution. Here we have laws. Laws are a social covenant that guarantees democracy,” Sheinbaum told reporters during her daily briefing.

“I believe that every country has the sovereignty to decide what to do with its natural resources; I do not believe that one nation should decide for another, no matter how problematic the situation may be,” Sheinbaum said.

Sheinbaum was asked about the Trump administration’s demand that Venezuela sever economic ties with several countries including Cuba, Russia, and Iran.

“Every country is sovereign, and sovereignty includes control over its natural resources, regardless of another country’s viewpoint” Sheinbaum said.

-ABC News' Anne Laurent

Secretary of State Marco Rubio touted the "tremendous leverage and control" the United States now exerts over Venezuela's oil industry and suggested Venezuela wants the oil captured in the Caribbean Wednesday by U.S. forces to be a part of its export deal with the administration.

"We are in the midst right now, and in fact, about to execute on a deal to take all the oil they have -- oil that is stuck in Venezuela," he told reporters following a classified meeting with senators on the Hill.

Rubio pointed to the tanker that was captured and said Venezuela's interim leaders are cooperating because they want to make money off of it.

"They understand that the only way they can move oil and generate revenue and not have economic collapse is if they cooperate and work with the United States, and that's what we see are going to happen," he added.

Rubio and Defense Secretary Hegseth were asked about the cost of the operation.

Hegseth said the question on costs was "disingenuous" because it "undermines the success of one of the most historic military missions the world has ever seen."

He also told reporters that the U.S. military is prepared to continue seizing oil tankers.

Rubio dismissed criticism from lawmakers who accuse the administration of having no plan.

"The bottom line is, we've gone into great detail with them about the planning. We've described it to them," he said of senators on the Hill. "In fact, it's not just winging it. It's not just saying or speculating it's going to happen. It's already happening."

-ABC News' Mariam Khan