, Jan. 8 -- The administration of President Donald Trump on Wednesday moved to strengthen U.S. control over Venezuela's oil sector by seizing additional sanctioned tankers and announcing plans to loosen certain sanctions so Washington can manage the sale of Venezuelan oil worldwide.

Following the removal of President Nicolas Maduro in a surprise overnight operation, the Trump administration said it intends to oversee all Venezuelan oil exports. While the U.S. continues to enforce its oil embargo, the Energy Department said that any oil entering or leaving Venezuela must pass through channels approved by the United States and aligned with its legal and national security priorities.

Such authority over the world's largest proven crude res...