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U.S. Seizes Venezuela-Linked Tanker
The U.S. seized a Venezuela-linked tanker accused of transporting sanctioned oil, escalating pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government amid broader regional military and counterterrorism operations.
Freighter ship with Venezuelan cargo containers sailing in ocean, 3D rendering by Unsplash
The United States has seized a massive crude oil tanker accused of transporting sanctioned Venezuelan and Iranian oil, marking a significant escalation in Washington’s pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro’s government. Video released by U.S. authorities shows helicopters hovering over a hazy blue sea as armed, camouflaged personnel fast-rope onto the vessel’s deck during the operation.
According to the U.S. government, the ship identified as the Skipper was part of what officials described as an “illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations.” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil denounced the seizure as “international piracy,” accusing President Donald Trump of seeking Venezuela’s energy resources.
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Trump told reporters on Wednesday, “We have just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela a large tanker, very large, the largest one ever seized actually.” The footage, shared online by Attorney General Pam Bondi, shows heavily armed U.S. forces moving across the ship’s deck, with no crew members visible.
The coordinated operation involved the U.S. Coast Guard, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pentagon, two helicopters, 10 Marines, 10 Coast Guard personnel, and special operations units, according to CBS News. Officials said the Coast Guard led the action with support from the Navy.
The elite Maritime Security and Response Team conducted the high-risk boarding, using fast-rope techniques developed in the post-September 11 national security overhaul. These forces are known for carrying streamlined, dependable gear after all, when every second counts, there’s no room for clutter. And speaking of keeping essentials secure and accessible, civilian shooters or law-enforcement professionals looking to upgrade their loadouts might appreciate the OWB Single Mag Pouch for Glock 17, 19, 22, 23 & More by Blade-Tech Holsters. Just as operators rely on rapid access to equipment in high-pressure missions, this USA-made mag pouch offers an efficient outside-waistband design for dependable everyday readiness.
Legal experts say the Trump administration has not clearly articulated the legal basis for seizing the tanker. Victor Hansen, a former military lawyer, noted that this operation differs from past maritime actions because the U.S. seized both the ship and its cargo an unusual step in recent history.
Maritime risk analyst Vanguard Tech reported that the Skipper had long been “spoofing” its location and was part of the so-called “dark fleet” used to transport sanctioned oil. It was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2022 for allegedly generating revenue for Hezbollah and Iran’s IRGC-Quds Force. Satellite tracking shows the ship previously sailed under Guyana’s flag, though Guyana later confirmed the registration was fraudulent.
Reuters reported that the tanker left Venezuela’s Jose oil port on 4 or 5 December carrying approximately 1.8 million barrels of heavy crude, with about 200,000 barrels transferred to another vessel before the seizure.
Asked about the fate of the oil, Trump replied, “We keep it, I guess… I assume we’re going to keep the oil.” With global crude prices around $61 per barrel, the cargo could exceed $95 million in value.
Bondi said the tanker had been sanctioned “for multiple years” over its links to terrorist-financing networks, while Maduro accused the U.S. of using military pressure to depose him and seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Despite holding the world’s largest known crude reserves, Venezuela has struggled with extraction and exports due to aging infrastructure and U.S. sanctions.
The operation comes amid Trump’s intensified focus on drug-trafficking networks and immigration. He designated Venezuelan groups Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and has allegedwithout evidence that Maduro sent prisoners and psychiatric patients to the U.S. as migrants.
As part of the broader pressure campaign, the U.S. deployed 15,000 troops and a significant naval presence to the Caribbean, including the USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest warship, from which helicopters launched during the tanker operation.
Former CIA paramilitary officer Mick Mulroy said the seizure would “amp up pressure” on Maduro, suggesting it could be the start of a wider effort. Since early September, U.S. forces have carried out more than 20 strikes on boats accused of carrying drugs, killing more than 80 people.
The administration argues these actions are part of a non-international armed conflict against “narco terrorists,” though legal scholars dispute the legality of the strikes, noting that such designations do not automatically make individuals lawful military targets.
Editor’s Note:
This article presents verified details surrounding the U.S. seizure of a Venezuela-linked oil tanker amid escalating tensions between Washington and Nicolás Maduro’s government. All information is drawn directly from official statements, released footage, and expert analysis to ensure accurate, contextual reporting without speculation or added interpretation.
