EXCLUSIVE-US Coast Guard intercepts Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters

WASHINGTON, Jan 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted a Venezuela-linked tanker in Latin American waters, three U.S. officials said on Wednesday, as the U.S. continues enforcing a maritime "blockade" of sanctioned vessels from Venezuela.

The interception was the second in recent hours and came just days after U.S. special forces swooped into Caracas before dawn on Saturday in a deadly raid to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the U.S. military turned over to federal authorities for prosecution in New York on charges involving alleged drug trafficking.