NEW YORK, August 21. /TASS/. Oil tankers are forced to wait up to 30 days to load at Venezuelan ports due to outdated infrastructure that cannot handle the increased volumes of fuel destined for export, Reuters reported, citing documents and sources.

The last time consumers of Venezuelan oil faced such lengthy delays was during the naval blockade imposed by the United States on the South American country late last year, according to the report.

About half of the oil produced in Venezuela, approximately 500,000 barrels, is currently exported to the US, said US Energy Under Secretary Kyle Haustveit. Delays in loading fuel are hindering Washington’s plans to rapidly increase hydrocarbon exports from the South American nation following a landmark agreement with international trading companies, the report said.

In early August, US President Donald Trump described Venezuelan oil as a trophy won by the United States. He called the military operation in Caracas, during which US forces captured and removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, a 48-minute war, adding that Washington acted the old-fashioned way, gaining many times more from Venezuelan oil than it had spent to carry out the operation.